The Long Wait Ends for Students in Kashmir
By: Javid Amin | 04 Sep 2025
For nearly two weeks, Kashmir’s classrooms fell silent. Torrential rains, swelling rivers, landslides, and flash floods forced authorities to shut schools, colleges, and universities across the valley. Families huddled indoors, roads remained blocked, and young learners once again faced an interruption in their academic routine.
But now, there is relief. The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has confirmed that all government and private schools will reopen from September 8, 2025. This marks a cautious yet hopeful step toward restoring normalcy in the Valley’s education system after another climate-induced disruption.
This reopening, however, is more than just a calendar date. It’s a test of student safety, institutional resilience, and the ability of education systems to adapt to recurring climate shocks.
The Closure Timeline: Why Schools Went Silent
Jammu Division: Schools Closed Till September 5
Heavy rainfall battered the Jammu division, triggering floods, landslides, and waterlogging. The Directorate of School Education Jammu ordered all government and private schools to remain closed till September 5, 2025.
Kashmir Division: Shutdown Ordered on September 4
In Kashmir, the Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg ordered a complete shutdown of schools on September 4 due to worsening weather conditions. The floods submerged roads, damaged bridges, and made travel unsafe for children.
Universities and Coaching Centers Also Affected
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University of Kashmir postponed all examinations scheduled for September 4.
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Coaching centers and private institutions were also ordered shut.
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Authorities advised institutions to shift to online learning wherever possible to avoid academic loss.
This sweeping closure exposed the vulnerability of educational systems in mountainous, disaster-prone regions where nature dictates the rhythm of daily life.
Why Reopening on September 8 Matters
Symbol of Resilience
Every reopening after a disaster signals hope and resilience. For children, returning to school means reconnecting with friends, teachers, and a familiar routine—a vital step in emotional recovery after stressful events like floods.
Academic Continuity
With board exams already postponed, reopening schools ensures students can resume preparation without extended learning gaps. Academic calendars in Kashmir are often disrupted due to weather, making every school day count.
Parental Relief
For parents, reopening offers both relief and anxiety relief. Many worry about lost study time and the risk of prolonged closures impacting their children’s competitiveness in exams.
Safety First: The Directives for Schools
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued strict safety and hygiene orders before reopening:
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✅ Inspection of School Buildings: Many schools were partially submerged or structurally weakened during floods. Authorities have asked principals to certify that buildings are safe.
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✅ Cleanliness and Sanitization: Floodwater contamination poses a health risk. Schools must sanitize classrooms, washrooms, and drinking water sources.
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✅ Preparedness for Emergencies: Teachers have been advised to stay alert for any after-effects like waterlogging, weakened walls, or road blockages.
These steps highlight the growing importance of disaster preparedness in education systems, particularly in regions like Kashmir where natural calamities are recurrent.
Online Learning: A Temporary Lifeline
During closures, schools were advised to conduct online classes where feasible. While urban schools managed some continuity, challenges persisted:
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🔴 Poor Internet Connectivity: Many rural areas still suffer from weak networks.
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🔴 Digital Divide: Not all families own smartphones or laptops.
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🔴 Limited Teacher Training: Teachers struggle to adapt to digital pedagogy without proper training.
This raises the question: Can online learning ever be a reliable backup for schools in Kashmir?
Climate Change and Education in Kashmir: A Hard Truth
The repeated disruption of schools due to weather isn’t just bad luck—it’s part of a broader climate crisis. Studies show that Himalayan regions like J&K are highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, including cloudbursts, floods, and landslides.
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In the last decade, Kashmir has faced major floods (2014, 2022, 2025) and countless weather-related school closures.
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These events not only damage infrastructure but also erode trust in the stability of the education system.
The reopening on September 8, therefore, isn’t just about resuming lessons—it’s about redefining education planning in a climate-vulnerable region.
Student Voices: The Human Side of the Story
To understand the impact, let’s imagine the perspectives of different students:
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A Class 10 Student in Srinagar: “My board exams were already stressful. With floods and closures, I felt I would fall behind. Reopening on September 8 gives me hope.”
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A Primary School Child in Pulwama: “I missed playing with my friends at school. At home, I just sat inside while it rained outside.”
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A College Student in Anantnag: “Online classes didn’t work for me. Internet was weak. I need face-to-face learning.”
These voices underline that education is more than academics—it’s about socialization, stability, and psychological well-being.
Policy Angle: What Needs to Change
The September reopening should be a wake-up call for policymakers. Some key priorities include:
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Resilient School Infrastructure – Build flood-resistant classrooms, elevated campuses, and safe drinking water systems.
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Disaster Preparedness Plans – Train teachers and staff in evacuation and first aid.
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Digital Readiness – Expand internet connectivity and provide affordable devices for students.
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Flexible Academic Calendars – Adapt schedules to local climate patterns to avoid prolonged disruption.
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Mental Health Support – Counseling for children affected by trauma from floods and closures.
Looking Ahead: Education Beyond Disasters
As schools reopen on September 8, Kashmir has an opportunity to rethink its education system in the age of climate change. The goal shouldn’t only be to restore what was lost but to future-proof learning against inevitable disruptions.
Imagine a Kashmir where:
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Schools double as community resilience centers during floods.
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Online platforms provide seamless backup learning during closures.
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Teachers are trained not only in academics but also in crisis management.
That is the direction needed if Kashmir is to protect its children’s right to uninterrupted education.
FAQs on Kashmir School Reopening
1. When will schools reopen in Kashmir?
All government and private schools in Kashmir are scheduled to reopen on September 8, 2025, after nearly two weeks of closure due to floods.
2. Why were schools closed in Jammu and Kashmir?
Schools, colleges, universities, and coaching centers were closed due to heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods, and safety concerns.
3. Will online classes continue after reopening?
Online classes were advised during the closure, but once schools reopen, physical learning will resume. However, hybrid models may continue in some institutions.
4. What safety steps are being taken for reopening?
Authorities have ordered building inspections, sanitization, and safety checks before resuming classwork.
5. What is the long-term solution to such disruptions?
Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, digital education, and disaster preparedness is key to protecting education in Kashmir.
Bottom-Line: A Lesson in Resilience
September 8, 2025, will not just be the day schools reopen in Kashmir. It will be a lesson in resilience, adaptation, and the importance of education as a pillar of recovery.
Every child walking into a classroom that Monday carries with them not just books and pens, but also the hope that learning will continue despite nature’s challenges.
Kashmir’s schools are reopening—but the bigger task lies ahead: ensuring that the next flood, storm, or landslide does not silence classrooms again.
