Srinagar | September, 11: The School Education Department has banned schools from allowing students to leave early without authorization on the final working day of every month. The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) issued a strict circular after surprise visits revealed that several institutions in North Kashmir’s Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts were observing an unauthorized ‘half-day’ schedule.
DSEK clarified that the last working day of the month is a regular instructional day and warned that early dismissals lead to a severe loss of academic time. “The last working day of the month is a regular working day and the prescribed school timings shall be adhered to in letter and spirit,” the circular stated. “No Head of Institution or member of the staff shall curtail the instructional/working hours or disperse students before the prescribed closing time merely on the ground that it is the last day of the month.”
The directorate cautioned that staff leaving early or engaging in non-academic activities during school hours constitutes a serious lapse of official duty. Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers, and school heads have been instructed to enforce full working hours strictly, with officials warning that any violations will attract immediate administrative and disciplinary action.
