Schools in Jammu and Kashmir reopened on Tuesday after a 15-day summer break, following heavy rainfall on Monday that ended the prolonged heatwave and dry spell in the Valley.
The reopening sparked significant backlash from parents after the government advanced school timings to 7:30 a.m.
Parents slammed the administration, claiming the Omar Abdullah-led government lacks proper planning. “Most members of the cabinet are either half-read or lack the basic competence to understand the impact of heat on children,” one parent said.
The UT Administration on Monday decided against extending the summer vacation despite the ongoing heatwave in the Valley.
However, shortly after the announcement was made, heavy rains lashed the valley, and the temperature came down to normal levels across Kashmir.
Parents also criticised Education Minister Sakeen Itoo for implementing the new timing schedule without consulting educationists or health experts.
Several videos circulating online showed parents and children struggling to wake up at 5 a.m. and catch school buses between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m.
In a post on X, the Education Minister stated: “Institutions falling within the jurisdiction of Srinagar municipal limits in the valley will function from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, while in other areas, the timings will be from 8 am to 12 noon.”
“We are reopening schools from tomorrow (Tuesday) in Kashmir Division & Winter Zones of Jammu Division,” Ittoo said.
The minister further said that “students will also attend two online classes from home after a one-hour break.”
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had announced an early summer break following the unprecedented heatwave that swept the region in the second week of June.
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