Srinagar: The J&K government on Tuesday announced winter vacations for all the government and recognised private schools of Kashmir and winter zones of Jammu. Principal Secretary School Education Department, Bishwajit Kumar Singh said the schools up to class 8th will observe winter vacation from December 6 to February 28 while the classes from 9th to 12th will observe winter vacations from December 13 to February 28.
“Any deviation on part of the head of the institutions in observance of the winter vacations for children will attract strict action under rules,” Singh told Greater Kashmir.
However, he said the schools, both in government and private sector, have been allowed to complete their ongoing online exams before closing the institutions for the winter vacations.
“Schools will be allowed to complete the ongoing exams so that it doesn’t remain pending for the next year. But no school will be allowed to continue with the class work for the students. If there are no ongoing exams in schools, then they should follow the calendar of winter vacations,” Principal Secretary said.
Meanwhile, the district administration Kargil has also ordered for closure of all the educational institutions for in-person teaching from December 3.
The decision has been taken in view of the recent spike in the Covid-19 cases in district Kargil.
The order in this regard has been issued by the district magistrate who is also the Chairman District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) Kargil, Ladakh in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 34 of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 read with section 144 of CrPC.
“In the interest of public health and safety all the government, private educational institutions (including residential schools/hostels) except for conduct of board examination of classes 10th and 12th shall remain closed from December 3 till further orders,” the order reads.
The district administration has also ordered that the offline Board Examination for class 10th and 12th shall be permitted to be held keeping in view all the social distancing norms and Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB).
“The Chief Medical Officer Kargil shall ensure 100 percent sampling of remaining students before closure of schools. The sampling of students appearing in board examination shall be carried out immediately after the conclusion of their examination,” the order reads.
The Chief Education Officer (CEO) has also been directed to convey these directions to all the private schools and ensure that board examinations are conducted following the COVID SOPs issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) and this office from time to time.
“Any violations of these orders shall invite action under Section 188 of IPC, Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Epidemic Disease Act 1897,” it reads.