KCCI Urges J&K Government to Extend Summer Vacation Due to Heatwave in Kashmir
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 06 July 2025
A Plea Born of Rising Heat and Parental Concern
As Kashmir reels under one of the most intense and unrelenting heatwaves in decades, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has raised a crucial humanitarian and public health concern: the urgent need to extend the ongoing summer vacations for school children. In a formal appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakina Itoo, KCCI highlighted the dangers posed by the extreme weather conditions to thousands of school-going children across the Valley.
Why KCCI is Intervening in Educational Policy
At first glance, a business chamber taking up a school-related issue might appear unusual. However, KCCI’s concern stems from its broader commitment to social responsibility and public welfare. The Chamber emphasized that the wellbeing of the Valley’s youth, especially students, cannot be divorced from the region’s socio-economic framework.
The business community, being deeply interconnected with Kashmir’s socio-political fabric, often steps in where policy gaps need urgent addressing. And right now, that gap is heatwave resilience in education.
The Weather Crisis: Record-Breaking Temperatures and No End in Sight
June 2025 has been declared the second hottest June in Srinagar since 1892, with the capital logging average daytime temperatures consistently above 34°C, and even higher in towns like Kupwara and Anantnag. According to the Meteorological Department, no significant rainfall is expected before July 8, adding to the prolonged dry spell.
High humidity, minimal breeze, and heat-retaining urban infrastructure have made life unbearable—particularly for children, the elderly, and those in rural or lower-income communities.
The Current School Schedule and the Imminent Risk
The existing summer vacation is scheduled to end on July 7, just as the Valley expects another peak in temperatures. KCCI believes that reopening schools under these conditions would be both reckless and dangerous. Many schools in Kashmir, especially in rural and semi-urban areas:
- Lack proper ventilation or ceiling fans
- Operate in cramped classrooms with tin roofs
- Have inadequate access to drinking water and first-aid
- Are already struggling to maintain sanitary conditions amid the heat
These infrastructural limitations make it impossible to maintain safe learning environments in this weather.
The Human Angle: Children at Risk
Parents across the Valley are expressing increasing anxiety over the scheduled school reopening. Social media is awash with appeals from mothers, teachers, and health professionals warning of heat-related illnesses like dehydration, heat stroke, headaches, and exhaustion.
Pediatricians have also issued advisories urging caution. Children are more vulnerable to extreme heat as their bodies regulate temperature less efficiently, and prolonged exposure in such settings could lead to severe complications.
“The health of our children must not be compromised for routine administrative timelines,” KCCI stated in its appeal. “We urge the government to show flexibility and compassion.”
Infrastructure Deficit: A Crisis Exposed
The situation has also brought to light Kashmir’s education infrastructure crisis, especially in government-run and low-budget private schools:
- A significant percentage of schools have no electricity back-up.
- There are no emergency health kits or dedicated medical staff.
- Most classrooms are overcrowded, making social distancing or heat management impossible.
In areas like Baramulla, Pulwama, and Budgam, teachers have raised informal alarms that students are fainting or showing signs of heat exhaustion even during early morning sessions.
A Pragmatic Solution: Digital Learning as a Bridge
KCCI didn’t just raise the issue; it also provided a workable interim solution. To minimize academic loss while prioritizing safety, the Chamber has recommended:
- Online classes for at least two more weeks
- Utilization of digital learning platforms already used during COVID-19
- Encouraging audio-visual content, worksheets, and virtual assignments to keep students engaged
The emphasis is on continuity without compromise. While rural areas may face internet issues, even radio and mobile-based learning can serve as viable tools for academic engagement.
Public Sentiment: Strong Support from Parents and Civil Society
Civil society groups, teachers’ associations, and parent-teacher bodies have echoed KCCI’s appeal. Many argue that if governments can declare holidays for rainfall or snow, why not for an unrelenting heatwave that has proven equally disruptive?
Social media campaigns with hashtags like #ExtendSchoolBreak and #SaveOurChildren have gained traction in the past few days.
Call to Leadership: KCCI’s Direct Appeal to the Government
In its concluding remarks, KCCI made a direct and urgent appeal to CM Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakina Itoo:
“Our request is simple: extend the summer break by at least two more weeks, monitor the weather daily, and ensure no child is sent to school under unsafe conditions. This isn’t about convenience—it’s about basic human safety.”
The Chamber urged the government to act swiftly and issue immediate instructions to defer school reopening, ensuring clarity and avoiding last-minute confusion.
Bottom-Line: Safety Must Come First
In a region already dealing with political tension, economic uncertainty, and now extreme climate events, child welfare must not be left to chance. The KCCI’s appeal is rooted not in panic, but in prudence. When the mercury rises to dangerous levels, so must our collective responsibility.
The coming days will determine whether Kashmir’s leadership listens to its citizens and puts students’ lives before policy inertia.
Press Release
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) has urged the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah, and Education Minister Ms. Sakina Itoo to extend the ongoing summer vacation in schools by at least two more weeks, in view of the severe and unprecedented heatwave affecting the Kashmir Valley.
Raising concern over the extreme weather conditions, KCCI said that the safety and health of students must be the topmost priority. The Chamber pointed out that the majority of educational institutions in the region are not adequately equipped to deal with such high temperatures. Many schools, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, lack proper ventilation, cooling mechanisms, or heat-mitigation infrastructure, making it extremely difficult for students and staff to function safely.
The current summer vacation, scheduled to end on July 7, should be extended further to allow children to remain indoors during this unusually hot period. KCCI believes that reopening schools under the prevailing weather conditions would expose children to unnecessary health risks.
To minimise academic loss during the extended break, the Chamber has recommended that the government initiate online classes and ensure that students remain engaged through digital learning platforms. Such an approach, KCCI stated, would strike a balance between safety and academic continuity.
The Chamber appealed to the Chief Minister and Education Minister to take swift action and issue necessary directions in this regard.
Faiz Ahmed Bakshi
Secretary General
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry INC.
2ND FLOOR, MOHIDIN TRUST BUILDING, RESIDENCY ROAD, SRINAGAR-KASHMIR-190001
TEL: 0194-2455446/2482176
FAX : 0194: 2452517
E-MAIL : thekashmirchamber@gmail.com
Website : www.thekcci.in
