Don’t Extend Vacations, Instead Run Classes from 6 AM to 11 AM, PSAJK’s Appeal to Edu Minister

Srinagar: Amid the ongoing heatwave sweeping across Jammu and Kashmir, the Private Schools’ Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) has appealed to the J&K government, led by Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakina Itoo, not to extend the summer vacation any further. Instead, the association has proposed shifting school timings to early morning hours, from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, to ensure that students’ learning remains uninterrupted.

PSAJK President G.N. Var, in a media statement, as per Alfaaz – The Words said, “Our students have already lost nearly three months to the long winter break. Extending the summer vacation will make it nearly impossible to complete the syllabus before the October examinations.”

Var stressed that the current academic session is already under pressure, and any further loss of teaching days will directly impact syllabus completion, exam preparation, and students’ academic performance.

“Many of our students are also preparing for competitive exams,” he noted. “Every teaching day counts now. We need to act responsibly and give our children more learning time, not less.”

Highlighting the practicality of the suggestion, Var added, “Starting schools early in the morning is a safer, more sensible option. Children can study during the cooler hours of the day, avoiding the severe afternoon heat. This is already a common practice in several hot-weather regions of India and abroad. It works, and it can work here too.”

The association also pointed out that many rural and urban schools in J&K have already lost significant classroom time this year due to extreme weather, power outages, and infrastructure challenges.

“We cannot afford any more breaks,” Var warned. “Time is short, and our students are already lagging behind. We must use every available day wisely.”

Emphasizing the broader significance, he said, “Children’s education should never be treated casually. We must safeguard their academic future and take this matter seriously.”

The PSAJK underscored that the issue is not merely about the heatwave, it is about protecting children’s learning and futures. “We need smart, timely solutions before small problems turn into bigger crises,” Var added. “Acting early is always better than waiting for things to spiral.”

Concluding the statement, Var assured that PSAJK, along with all private schools across Jammu and Kashmir, stands fully ready to support the government if early morning school timings are introduced. “We will cooperate fully to ensure that our students do not lose any more valuable learning time,” he affirmed.