Govt Plans to Shift School Timings, Limit Outdoor Activities, and Possibly Announce Summer Break Amid Kashmir Heatwave

Srinagar, May 21: The government is working out a plan to change the school timings for the students in view of the prevailing scorching heat wave in Kashmir.

The move comes after back-to-back heat wave advisories issued by several Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across Kashmir. The district administration of Baramulla on Wednesday issued a detailed advisory aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring a coordinated response from government departments.

As per the advisory, the Education Department has been advised to adjust school timings ìif necessary and avoid outdoor activities during peak heat.

Besides, the Municipality and PHE Departments were asked to ensure adequate drinking water supply and regular sprinkling of water in dusty areas.

In the wake of this, the department for shifting of timings in schools across Kashmir started pouring in from stakeholders who voiced their concern over the safety of the students while getting exposed to scorching heat.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Additional Chief Secretary (Financial Commissioner), School Education Department (SED), Shantmanu said the government had been receiving demands from various stakeholders to shift the timing of schools and the department was working on it.

I have discussed the matter with the Director of School Education Kashmir and have asked him to work out a plan to prepone the school timings, he said.

Shantmanu said that within a day or two, the department would make a final decision regarding the change in school timings.

In case the heat wave persists then we may announce summer vacation for a few days. Nothing has been finalised yet regarding the announcement of vacation but in case the heat wave persists then we may think about it. Things are being worked out, he said. Shantmanu said once the timing is changed, schools can do away with holding morning assemblies open for a few days. (GK)

NCDC core committee passes key resolution on school sanitation, health & hygiene

Srinagar, May 21: As schools in Kerala and other places prepare to reopen from the first week of June, the National Child Development Council (NCDC) had a core committee meeting this week where it resolved unanimously to implement a key resolution aimed at the development of health, hygiene, and sanitation facilities in schools. During the meeting, members emphasized the urgency to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in schools.

Commencing the discussion, committee members were unanimous in their view that every school needs to provide access to clean drinking water, well-maintained sanitation facilities, and basic health care services. The resolution urges school authorities—both public and private—to take proactive measures for safeguarding student health and well-being.

We have to make children’s access to clean water, decent toilets, and basic health care a priority. It’s not a luxury, but a fundamental need,” one of the NCDC members stated.

A senior NCDC member, also stressed health education and behavior reinforcement among children. “We must teach them good hygiene practices like hand washing and toilet etiquette from day one. We must make such learning experiences unforgettable,” she declared. She also favored parental participation and proposed hourly bell-ringing to remind water consumption.

She also observed the significance of staff training, especially for teachers in higher grades who tend to overlook hygiene oversight over pre-primary staff.

Another NCDC official concentrated on availability of material, saying, “The government needs to supply fundamental hygiene items—soaps, disinfectants, and sanitary sprays. Without them, knowledge alone won’t suffice.” He further demanded that such items be made obligatory in each school.

Similarly, the issue of coordination between school administration and sanitation workers was raised by yet another NCDC core committee member. “There should be compassion and coordination. Students should treat sanitation workers with respect, and personnel should be given the power to report matters without fear,” she added. She also urged health-oriented expert seminars, by doctors or nurses from the parent community, and explained the dangers of junk food culture among students, urging improved food education and peer-to-peer awareness.

One NCDC member gave a heart-wrenching testimony of the problems her daughter faced at school camp because of the unavailability of water, highlighting the effects of poor sanitation on girls, particularly during menstruation. She requested a permanent source of water at schools, for example, wells or tanks, particularly in areas where the public water supply gets disrupted.

She further suggested that schools maintain health registers, track frequent student absences due to illness, and work with local Primary Health Centers (PHCs) or NGOs to provide mental health and hygiene awareness sessions.

The members noted that the monsoon season introduces other health hazards such as diarrhea and water-borne illnesses, so preventive infrastructure becomes all the more crucial.

The committee concurred on the necessity of waste management, cleanliness of bathrooms, and availability of menstrual hygiene materials, commenting that numerous girls refrain from using school washrooms for fear of poor maintenance.

Academic Sessions Restoration: JKBOSE notifies new academic schedule

Srinagar, May 21 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) Wednesday notified the new academic schedule following the restoration of academic session from March to November.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), JKBOSE further clarified that due to change in academic calendar in winter Zone areas in 2024, the Annual regular 2025 examination is scheduled to be held in Oct-Nov of 2025 and in summer zone of Jammu division in Feb-March 2026 respectively.

The board further said, “Previous
academic calendar is restored from current year (2025) in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territories.”

“The Academic session in case of Kashmir division and winter Zone areas of Jammu division and U.T of Ladakh shall be 2024-25, entailing conduct of the Annual Regular Examinations of gth, 10th, 11th and 12th classes in October-November 2025,” it reads.

Notification regarding Restoration of previous Academic calendar

It also said that the Academic Session in case of summer zone of Jammu division shall be
2025-26, entailing conduct of annual regular examination of 9th,10th, 11h and 12th classes in March-April 2026—(KNO)