Heat doesn’t justify halting education: Var

Srinagar, July 06: In response to the ongoing debate surrounding the extension of summer vacations due to heatwave in Kashmir division, the Private Schools’ Association Jammu Kashmir (PSAJK) has urged the J&K government to adopt academic and logic-based solutions. The Association advocates for early morning school timings as a practical, globally practiced measure to ensure both student well-being and academic continuity.
In a statement issued to the press, PSAJK president G.N. Var said, “This isn’t merely about the heat, it’s about how we respond to challenges without compromising the academic and mental health of our children. Heat is a global issue, not a reason to paralyze the education system. Smarter decisions, not shutdowns, is the way forward.”
The Association’s suggestion to start schools as early as 6:00 Am or 7:00 Am is not arbitrary but is based on input from leading education experts, parents and teachers. It aligns with models already practiced in several hotter Indian states and across the world.
Var also expressed concern that decisions on school closures are often driven by media narratives or administrative perceptions, rather than careful educational planning and meaningful dialogue with key stakeholders.”
The PSAJK President further said, “Research shows that even a single day of school absence can double the learning loss. We’ve already lost valuable academic time due to prolonged winter breaks and frequent summer vacation extensions in recent years. Children from poor families are the worst affected; they don’t have access to fans, coolers or safe alternatives at home.”
The Association rejected online education as a practical alternative, particularly for little children and warned about the long-term negative effects of too much screen time. “Online schooling leads to screen addiction, emotional underdevelopment and social disconnect. It cannot replace real schooling,” it stated.