DSEK orders change in school timing for Kashmir division

Srinagar, Oct 31 (KNO): The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Thursday ordered change in school timing for Kashmir division with effect from November-01.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), DSEK in a order said that the schools within Srinagar municipal limits shall have a school time of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in all government and private schools.

It also said that the educational institutes outside municipal limits of Srinagar and other areas of Kashmir province shall have timing of 10:30 am to 03:30 pm.

“All the concerned institutions must strictly adhere to
order and instructions and any deviation in this regard will
seriously,” it reads—(KNO)

Exams up to class 9th before winter vacations: Announces CM Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR, Oct 30: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, today announced that annual exams in Kashmir for classes up to 9th will be held in November-December, well before the winter vacation.

Speaking to the media during an event here, the Chief Minister stated that this change addresses a long-standing demand from parents and students, offering relief to all stakeholders.

“The exam schedule will return to the old scheme for classes up to 9th, with exams held before winter vacations this year,” he said.

For classes 10th, 11th and 12th, however, students will follow the current schedule, and a decision on these classes will be made next year.

“For these classes, we must ensure readiness as it involves board exams,” he added, assuring that the examination schedule would revert to the old scheme next year.

Omar noted that there had been repeated requests from winter zone parents and students for a return to the previous exam schedule.

He thanked Minister for Education Sakina Itoo for bringing the proposal for the exam schedule change to the cabinet, which, he said, approved it promptly. Itoo thanked the Chief Minister for the prompt decision.

She told Excelsior that the academic session back to November-December from this year has been changed for non-board classes up to class 9th, for Kashmir province and winter zones of Jammu province. “For higher classes, the session will be restored next year. The board exams will be held in Feb-March and classes for the next session for 11th and 12th will start from March 15,” she added.

In 2022, the administration announced a uniform academic calendar in sync with the rest of the country. However, this decision did not sit well with students and parents, who have since called for a reversal.

The decision has received appreciation from the public. Dar Shakeel, a parent, told Excelsior that it was necessary due to climatic conditions of the region. “It has always been a through out decision to hold exams in Oct-Nov due to climatic conditions of the region. Changing it to March was a unilateral decision without taking into consideration the views of the stakeholders,” he said.

Stakeholders argued that the uniform calendar was impractical, with weather being a major factor. Under the previous schedule, students had a three-month winter break up to February, allowing a smoother start to the new academic session and more time to prepare.

They contended that otherwise, these three months would be lost, providing no benefit to students.

Additionally, students faced confusion and hardship due to the division of hard and soft zones, which caused uncertainty in March if it snowed.

Another parent noted that the decision will help students proceed in a structured manner and reduce stress.

“We appreciate the steps taken by our Chief Minister and his Cabinet to strengthen the bridge neglected under Central rule for the past six years. This initiative will enable students to pursue their academics in a structured manner, helping to reduce stress and improve time management,” wrote Musaib Ahmad on ‘X.’ (Daily Excelsior)

Tailor’s daughter tops KAS exam in Valley

Always wanted to reach a position to help people: Iqra

Srinagar, Oct 30 (KNO): Iqra Farooq, the second topper of Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) 2023 never budged to the financial challenges and was determined to reach a position where she could serve people.

In an interview with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Iqra, a daughter of a tailor, said her parents supported her education despite their middle-class background.

Having completed her postgraduation in 2021, Iqra dedicated 5-6 hours daily to her studies. “I had to start afresh in a different field. There were a lot of financial challenges but my parents never took a back step regarding my studies,” she said.

She said it is important to stay focused and minimise distractions to focus on studies and the career. “I want to reach a position where I can be helpful to people,” she remarked.

Her father, Farooq Ahmad, praised her achievement, saying she had no private coaching. “Both of my children have been doing well in studies from the very beginning. Although my daughter did not receive any private coaching, she qualified for the prestigious exams with Rank-2. Like every father, I have worked round the clock to provide financial support to my family,” he said.

Another KAS qualifier, Anka Binti Irshad, who secured 33rd rank, remarked, “One exam does not define your merit. I congratulate all who qualified. Those who didn’t make it this time will get more opportunities to serve people in the world,” she said.

Anka expressed her desire to serve at the grassroots level. “I want to be the beacon of change. I could not dream of qualifying for the exam without my family’s support,” she said. “If I can change something in society, it would be the health and education sector.”

Danish Hussain, who achieved 30th rank and has a background in electrical engineering, said he began his civil service preparation in 2019. “My preparation lasted two and a half years, but I managed to maintain a balance in my personal life,” he said.

The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) has announced the results of the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2023, with Sanjeev Kumar securing the top position. As part of the results, 71 candidates have been called for medical examinations.

In total, 30,756 candidates were provisionally allowed to appear for the Preliminary Examination, which took place on October 15, 2023, with 18,882 candidates actually participating.

The JKPSC declared 2,144 candidates qualified for the Mains Examination, including 77 who were permitted to take the exam following directions from the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

According to the JKPSC notification, the results for 266 candidates who appeared in the interview for the post of JK CCE-2023 were announced, while the results of 11 candidates are withheld due to ongoing court orders.

The commission has directed the selected candidates to undergo medical examinations at their chosen medical boards in either GMC Srinagar or Jammu, in accordance with the established rules—(KNO)

Academic session up to 9th standard to be restored to Nov-Dec this year: Education Minister

Says for 10th to 12th standard, academic session to be restored next year

Srinagar, Oct 30 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to restore the academic session up to 9th standard to November-December instead of March session.

Speaking exclusively with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), J&K’s education minister Sakina Itoo said that the academic session will be restored to November-December up to 9th standard.

“For now, we will restore the academic session back to November-December up to 9th standard. For students of 10th to 12th, academic session will be restored from next year,” she said.

Earlier in 2022, the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir said that Uniform Academic Calendar shall be followed from 2022-23 academic year—(KNO)