Children reunite with friends, teachers as institutions reopen after winter break
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: After days of uncertainty and an extended winter break for many students, classrooms across the Kashmir Valley came alive again on Monday as schools, colleges, and universities reopened, bringing a sense of routine back to thousands of students.
Educational institutions resumed functioning across the Valley, with students returning to their campuses carrying books and school bags after the recent closure.
For students up to Class 8, Monday marked the end of a winter vacation that had stretched for more than two months. Although these schools were scheduled to reopen earlier this month, the reopening was delayed by a week after authorities ordered a temporary shutdown of educational institutions as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing situation.
Early in the morning, school buses and vans were seen back on the roads in Srinagar and other districts, while groups of students walked towards their schools, greeting friends and classmates after weeks apart.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo told Kashmir Horizon that schools and other higher educational institutions resumed functioning on Monday, and classes have started as per schedule.”
At many institutions, the first day was marked by a mix of excitement and adjustment as students settled back into their routine after spending several days at home.
Teachers said the focus on the opening day was largely on reconnecting with students and easing them back into the classroom environment.
“The first day is always about helping students settle in again. After long breaks, it takes time for them to get back into the rhythm of studies,” said Riyaz Ahmad, at a government school in Malbagh, Srinagar.
Students expressed happiness at meeting friends and teachers again after the unexpected pause in school activities.
“I missed coming to school and meeting my friends. Studying at home alone feels boring. Today we finally met everyone again,” said Sobiya, a Class 8 student in Srinagar.
Another student, Shakir Ahmad, said returning to school helped restore a proper study routine. “When schools are closed, it becomes difficult to follow a fixed timetable. Now we can focus properly on studies again,” he said.
Parents also welcomed the reopening of schools, saying the return to classrooms helps bring stability to children’s daily routine.
Mohammad Yousuf, a parent at Srinagar, said that children spend too much time at home during long breaks. When schools reopen, they become more disciplined and focused. It is good to see them going back to their normal schedule,” he said.
Earlier, schools for students from Class 9 to 12 had reopened on February 23 in the Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division after a winter break of over 70 days.
According to the School Education Department (SED), the winter vacations had been announced in a phased manner for different classes.
The department had ordered winter vacations for Class 9 to 12 students from December 11, 2025 to February 22, 2026. For middle classes up to Class 8, the winter break was scheduled from December 1 to February 28, while pre-primary classes (Balvatika) observed vacations from November 26 to February 28.
The teaching staff had been asked to report back to their respective schools on February 20 to make necessary arrangements ahead of the reopening of institutions.
Meanwhile, degree colleges in Kashmir had resumed functioning earlier on February 16 after a 52-day winter vacation announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department.
Officials said colleges in the Kashmir division and winter zones of the Jammu division had observed winter vacations from December 24, 2025, to February 14, 2026.
