Srinagar, June 21 – Amid an intensifying heatwave sweeping across the Kashmir Valley, the J&K Education Department has announced a 15-day summer vacation for all government and private schools in the Kashmir division, effective Monday, June 23. The move comes as a relief for students and parents grappling with extreme daytime temperatures that have disrupted classroom learning and raised health concerns.
Confirming the development, Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the decision was taken after reviewing the ground situation and considering repeated appeals from stakeholders.
“Given the current weather conditions and the well-being of students, it was decided to begin the summer break earlier than previously scheduled,” Itoo stated.
Revised Vacation Timeline
The summer vacation, originally slated from July 1 to July 10, has now been rescheduled and extended to 15 days, starting from June 23. The government has kept the window open for further review and possible extension depending on weather conditions post the break.
“The government will reassess the situation after the vacation period ends and take a call on whether an extension is warranted,” the Education Minister added.
Early Heat Response Measures Already in Place
Prior to the announcement of the summer break, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) had already implemented revised school timings in an effort to protect children from peak afternoon heat:
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Within Srinagar Municipal Limits: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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Outside Srinagar Limits: 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
However, despite these adjustments, complaints of fatigue, dehydration, and poor classroom attendance persisted, prompting the department to advance the summer holiday as a necessary measure.
Relief for Parents and Students
The announcement has been widely welcomed by parents, educators, and school authorities, many of whom had been demanding the early start of vacations for the past several days. Temperatures in the Valley have soared to well above seasonal norms, making it difficult for students—especially younger children—to cope with prolonged classroom hours.
“It had become nearly impossible for students to sit in non-air-conditioned classrooms, especially in rural areas,” said a school principal from South Kashmir. “This break was much needed.”
Private Schools Also Covered
The summer vacation directive applies to all educational institutions—both government and private—functioning in the Kashmir division, ensuring uniformity and minimizing confusion among school administrations.
Climate Change Impact on Academic Calendar
This year’s early summer break is also being seen in the context of changing climate patterns in the Kashmir Valley. Experts have pointed out that rising temperatures and heatwaves, once uncommon in Kashmir’s temperate summers, are becoming frequent and intense, forcing the education department to adapt academic schedules accordingly.
Environmental activists have urged the government to integrate climate resilience planning into the school calendar, including flexible term schedules and infrastructure improvements to support students during extreme weather.
What Happens After July 7?
While the current order places the vacation from June 23 to July 7, students, parents, and teachers await clarity on whether the summer break might be extended. The Education Department has assured that continuous monitoring of temperature trends will guide the next course of action.
A formal circular detailing the vacation period is expected to be issued by the Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) shortly.
