Kashmir’s Students Deserve Better: Sakina Itoo Demands Timely Exam Datesheets
By: Javid Amin | 25 September 2025
In South Kashmir this week, senior National Conference (NC) leader Sakina Itoo voiced a concern shared by thousands of students and parents across the Valley: the delayed release of examination datesheets. Speaking at a public interaction, she urged the education authorities to ensure timely and transparent academic planning.
“Students deserve clarity and time to prepare. Delayed datesheets create unnecessary stress and confusion,” Itoo remarked, calling for a student-first approach in the Valley’s fragile academic ecosystem.
Why Datesheets Matter
For students, a datesheet is not just a timetable — it is a psychological roadmap. Advance knowledge of exam schedules allows them to pace their preparation, organize revisions, and manage stress. In Kashmir, where academic calendars are often disrupted by weather, road closures, and political uncertainty, the importance of early announcements is magnified.
Education experts warn that sudden or last-minute notifications often:
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Increase exam anxiety and sleep disorders.
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Reduce efficiency in preparation.
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Lead to uneven performance across subjects.
The Psychological Toll
Mental health professionals note a sharp rise in exam-related anxiety disorders in recent years. Adolescents in particular struggle when datesheets are released just weeks—or even days—before exams.
“Children internalize uncertainty,” explains Dr. Sameena, a Srinagar-based psychologist. “When dates are unclear, their preparation becomes haphazard, which directly impacts confidence and emotional well-being.”
A Recurring Problem
This is not the first time the issue has been raised. Students across Kashmir frequently complain that the JKBOSE and university authorities finalize schedules too close to exam season. In some cases, mid-term and annual examinations overlap with competitive test coaching, leaving learners stretched and disoriented.
Parents, too, express frustration. “We try to support our children, but how do we plan study routines or even family schedules without knowing when exams will be held?” asked Altaf Ahmad, father of a Class 12 student from Anantnag.
Sakina Itoo’s Call for Reform
Sakina Itoo emphasized that educational reform is not only about infrastructure or curriculum but also about policies that respect the mental and emotional needs of students.
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Advance Datesheets: Release at least 2–3 months before exams.
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Transparent Communication: Use digital platforms, local media, and school networks for early updates.
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Student-Centric Calendar: Align board exams with competitive exam schedules to avoid overlaps.
She also urged the government to institutionalize a fixed academic calendar, so that disruptions — whether due to weather, strikes, or administrative delays — do not derail an entire generation.
The Bigger Picture
Kashmir’s education sector has long been vulnerable to disruptions — from extended school closures to internet shutdowns. The uncertainty has left scars on students’ learning cycles. Timely datesheets, while seemingly a small measure, could play a significant role in restoring stability and trust in the system.
As Sakina Itoo put it, “Education reform must prioritize not just exams, but the psychological readiness of our students.”
