Call to extend summer vacations in Kashmir amid hot weather
The calls have become shriller after the higher education department announced 10-day summer vacations for the colleges from July 15
As the 10-day summer vacations for schools in Kashmir are ending on Wednesday, there have been public calls for the extension of the vacation owing to hot and humid weather.
The calls have become shriller after the higher education department announced 10-day summer vacations for from July 15 while ironically the students of school education department have been asked to join classes from July 18.
“Greetings to school going children! All schools (Govt. & Private recognized) shall be re-opened on 18.7.2024, after summer vacations across the UT,” the school education department said in a post on X.
The summer vacation in schools had started from July 8.
Jammu and Kashmir Students Association expressed its anger and surprise over the duality of the authorities.
“In Kashmir, colleges are closed from July 15 for summer vacation, but schools reopen on July 18 after just 10 days. How are younger students supposed to stay cool when college students get to chill at home? Can the Director School Education explain the logic behind this decision?,” the association said in a post on X.
The association urged Lieutenant Governor to reconsider the decision. “Given the intense heat, it would be a great relief to extend the summer vacation for young students,” it said.
Some parents have also been demanding an extension in summer vacations for some more days.
“Explain this to me. How on earth could this scorching heat be bearable for school going kids from Thursday while it will remain unbearable for college and university students?,” said Umar Manzoor Shah.
People’s Democratic Party leader Waheed Para also sought extension of vacations owing to hot weather.
“Why end summer vacations when temperatures in Kashmir are still 35 degrees? It’s difficult for kids to attend school. The government must consider this,” he said in a post on X.
The school education department issued a cleanliness advisory on X and ordered the Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers and heads of Institutions to follow the same.
It asked the officials to ensure that all premises, including classrooms, corridors, and common areas, are thoroughly cleaned.
“Clean and disinfect water tanks to ensure safe drinking water,” it said.
Jammu Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Wednesday unveiled its new yagyashala at the holy cave shrine. The yagyshala is designed to provide sacred space for devotees with enhanced Hawan Poojan facilities and to perform other religious rituals. The unveiling was marked by a grand ceremony of installation of ‘Murti Sthapna’ of the divine idol of Mata Vaishno Devi after successful completion of a sacred yagya.
Jammu Expressing concern over spike in terror attacks leading to killing of several army and security force personnel, Congress J&K affairs Bharat Sinh Solanki on Wednesday hit out at the Centre and UT administration for “total failure to check the rising terror activities in Jammu region”. Addressing a press conference here, Solanki raised questions over sudden spurt in attacks after peaceful conduct of elections.
