‘Health comes first; not possible to equip all 28,000 schools for extreme weather’
Srinagar: Amid growing public discourse on school scheduling in Kashmir valley, Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday said that weather-based academic decisions are necessary in a region as climatically diverse and challenging as J&K.
Talking to reporters in Baramulla, Itoo said that the extreme climatic conditions, especially harsh winters make it practically impossible to implement uniform infrastructure solutions across the board.
“With around 28,000 schools in J&K, it’s simply not possible to provide heating in each one during the winter. This is not America, this is Jammu and Kashmir, where we have to make decisions based on the weather realities of the region,” she said while replying to a query on whether the government can ensure all-weather feasible schools.
The health and safety of students remain the government’s top priority, the Minister added. “You cannot cancel winter vacations and force children to attend school in sub-zero conditions just for the sake of continuity. The snow, the cold and the terrain all play a factor,” she asserted.
On the issue of early school timings in the Valley, the Minister acknowledged the public concern but defended the earlier decision, citing the intense heatwave that swept the Valley.
“We are grateful as we had all been praying for rain. The heat had reached a level rarely experienced before in Kashmir. The early morning schedule was implemented to protect students from heat-related distress while keeping academics on track,” she said.
However, with weather conditions now improving and feedback pouring in from parents, she hinted that the government is open to reviewing school timings. “We will do whatever we can to ensure that students continue their education without discomfort or disruption,” she said.
It is noteworthy that the School Education Department faced severe criticism over its decision to implement early school timings—from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM within Srinagar municipal limits and from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM in other areas.
The move, aimed at protecting students from the intense summer heat, drew backlash from parents, educators and civil society groups who cited concerns over student health, safety and logistical challenges, particularly in rural and hilly regions
