As temperatures soar, clamor for summer vacations in Kashmir schools go high

Srinagar: Amid the soaring temperature in the Valley, the parents of the students are demanding announcement of summer vacations in educational institutions up to higher secondary level.
The parents told Kashmir News Observer that the students were facing inconveniences in the schools given the rising temperature with each passing day as the educational institutions and buses are not fully equipped with the proper arrangements. They told that the students up to primary classes were worst sufferers in the intense heat wave.
“Keeping in view the rising temperature we appeal the authorities in education department to announce the schools for at least one week so that students will get some respite from the heat,” said Muhammad Nasir, a parent from Srinagar said. From past few days, there has been a steep increase in the day temperature coupled with high humidity which has made it difficult for the students to attend their schools.
“The summer capital Srinagar has increased above 32 degree Celsius. Besides the humidity in temperature is adding to the worries of the students during the school hours,” Abdul Rashid, another parent said. Given the spike in daily temperatures, the parents said the students up to middle classes can’t bear the heat and it can have adverse impact on their health.
“Students these days get deadly exhausted in early afternoon hours in schools and later complain of headache and other ailments while returning their homes,” he said. The accu-weather- a website forecasting the weather updates is also showing a spike in daily temperatures in coming days as well. The temperature for next week as per the website will remain around 31 to 32 degree on average.
The parents said the authorities in school education department should consider their appeal and announce summer vacations for schools for one week which can be extended accordingly in accordance with the prevailing temperature in Kashmir. “The department should not delay the decision as timely action can prove fruitful for students,” the parents said.
Director school education Kashmir (DSEK) Muhammad Younis Malik while acknowledging the rise in temperature told Kashmir News Observer
that the department was assessing the overall situation and will take a decision accordingly. “We are also monitoring the daily temperature. The decision has to be taken by administrative department,” he said.