EDITORIAL: In the Grip of Heatwave: Will Schools Reopen or Stay Shut?

As the Kashmir Valley continues to reel under an unrelenting heatwave, the government of Jammu and Kashmir finds itself at a familiar crossroads, whether to extend the ongoing summer vacations or to resume classes as scheduled. With the break set to end tomorrow, there is still no official word, leaving parents, schools, and most importantly, children hanging in limbo.

The heatwave, which has gripped the region with unprecedented intensity, shows little sign of abating in any meaningful way. While weather forecasts do offer a glimmer of hope with the possibility of brief relief, this so-called “improvement” may last only a day or two, more probably three. The question that arises is simple yet serious, should the decision to send thousands of children back into sweltering classrooms hinge on the hope of temporary weather relief?

If recent climate patterns are anything to go by, intense heat in the Valley is often followed by equally extreme weather in the form of heavy rainfall and flash floods. We have seen this dangerous pendulum swing before. Schools that may reopen under harsh heat could just as quickly find themselves disrupted again, this time by torrential rains, posing a different but equally grave risk to children’s safety.

The heart of the matter is not just the weather; it is the duty of care. The government’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the wellbeing of its youngest citizens. While academic continuity is undeniably important, it cannot come at the cost of physical health and safety. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and the risk of commuting during dangerous weather conditions make a strong case for extending the summer break until stability, both in temperature and rainfall, returns.

Decisiveness is key in times like these. Leaving the decision to the last minute only adds to the anxiety of parents and schools, who are forced to prepare for conflicting scenarios. The government must act swiftly and wisely, keeping in mind that education can always be caught up with, but a life cannot be replaced.

In the balance between learning and living, let us choose life — every single time!