Srinagar, Nov 23: Amid the growing demand for winter vacations for lower classes, Director of School Education Kashmir Tasaduq Hussain Mir Thursday said that the daytime weather was so pleasant in Kashmir that children were playing and clapping.
“The daytime weather at the moment is pleasant. If it were too cold, would the children be able to play, and would they be able to clap?” he asked.
Mir said that the government was aware of the abrupt change in weather and the dip in night temperature.
He said that an official announcement regarding winter vacations would be made soon.
Emphasising the government’s sensitivity to the situation, Mir said that while the temperature was below freezing at night, it was not severe during the day.
“We are sensitive to the situation,” he said.
Referring to the context for the decision-making process, Mir said that there were 200 institutional days for children to complete one academic session up to the 5th grade and 220 days for classes from 6th to 12th.
“There should be compliance with the law as well, and we have to fill the learning gaps of the students. Decisions are made while considering everything. The government is sensitive to the situation, and will take a decision on it,” he said.
Amid the director’s remarks on balancing weather conditions and adhering to educational regulations, the stakeholders are awaiting the official announcement from the government for winter vacation.
Earlier, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said that the administration in Kashmir was seriously considering the announcement of early winter vacations for kindergartens and primary classes in schools.
However, he emphasised the need for comprehensive planning, considering various aspects within an academic session.
The Divisional Commissioner informed about the intention to continue classes for primary classes only for the current week saying that a proposal was submitted to the Administrative Department after careful consideration of all aspects.
The parents are voicing their grievances asserting that the exposure to frigid weather during morning commutes on school buses was contributing to a health crisis.
Amidst chilling temperatures and foggy mornings in Kashmir, a surge in respiratory infections and mumps among school children has also triggered widespread concerns.
The medical experts have also said that the prevailing cold weather was causing respiratory epithelium, increasing susceptibility to various viral infections.
Given the escalating health crisis, doctors are recommending the closure of schools for kindergarten and primary-level students.
Also, the Meteorological Department (MeT) has issued an advisory urging school-going children and elderly individuals to wear masks in the morning due to dust, pollution, and foggy weather.