Learning Under the Sun: Does the New School Timing Help or Harm!

Noor Ul Hassan Andrabi

The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have issued a directive revising school timings in response to the ongoing severe heatwave sweeping across the Kashmir Valley. According to the new schedule, schools within municipal limits will now operate from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, while those outside these areas will follow a 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM routine. While the move is seemingly intended to protect students from extreme heat, it has triggered widespread concern among parents, educators, and health professionals. Many question the effectiveness of this minimal change, especially when the region is experiencing record-breaking temperatures and oppressive weather conditions that begin early in the day and intensify by afternoon.

In Kashmir, the sun rises early and rapidly gains intensity—meaning that by 8:30 or 9:00 AM, the day is already uncomfortably hot. The revised timing (2:30–3:00 PM) falls squarely within the peak heat hours when the sun is at its harshest and temperatures soar to dangerous levels. At this time of day, students returning home are exposed to relentless heat, often without adequate shade or access to cooling facilities. Cloud cover has been minimal in recent days, and the presence of natural shade is inconsistent, especially in urban areas or for students commuting long distances.

Many are now asking: Wouldn’t it have been more sensible to schedule classes from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, allowing students to return home before the worst of the heat sets in? Such a shift would help reduce exposure during the most critical hours and enhance student well-being, concentration, and learning outcomes.

A growing number of parents evenly have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the revised schedule, stating that it fails to provide meaningful relief for school-going children exposed to extreme heat. While authorities have adjusted the schedule by merely reducing one hour from the original timing, parents argue that this minor change does little to mitigate the impact of the scorching afternoon temperatures. How this be considered a solution when the sun is typically at its most intense, parents question.

Several parents are urging school officials to urgently reconsider the revised timing, suggesting that a more significant shift is necessary to protect children’s health and well-being during peak summer months. The prevailing sentiment among guardians is that a more thoughtful and safety-oriented approach should be adopted, keeping in mind the severe and increasingly harsh climatic conditions.

Another concern emerging from this heatwave is the potential advancement of summer vacations. In previous years, June and July were typically considered the peak summer months. Now, May has joined the list, exhibiting heat levels that are equally unbearable. If vacations are declared prematurely in May, what options will remain if similar or worse conditions persist through June and July?

This uncertainty highlights a broader and more troubling trend: a shrinking academic calendar. Due to the dual extremities of climate—intense summers and harsh winters—students in the Valley effectively have uninterrupted access to formal education for just a few months each year: March-April and August-September, followed by exams in October-November. January and February are largely lost to cold, during which many students rely on private tuition—a luxury not accessible to all.

Such systemic disruptions are detrimental to students’ academic consistency and holistic development. Unfortunately, the blame for poor learning outcomes is often unfairly placed on teachers, while deeper issues—such as climate disruption, poor infrastructure, and short-sighted policy decisions—go unaddressed.

In times when climate patterns are clearly shifting, the education sector must not bear the brunt of reactive or insufficient policymaking. Authorities must adopt science-backed, student-focused strategies to ensure continuity in education without compromising health.

A more thoughtful approach is not only desirable—it’s essential. Prioritizing early school hours, flexible learning models, and infrastructural preparedness can help protect children’s health and their right to education. The current crisis should serve as a wake-up call to move beyond superficial adjustments and adopt meaningful, future-ready reforms.

The current heatwave in Kashmir is more than a seasonal inconvenience—it is a warning sign of deeper, climate-driven challenges that demand urgent, long-term solutions. Adjusting school timings by an hour or two without addressing the broader implications of heat exposure, educational disruption, and infrastructural inadequacy is akin to placing a bandage on a widening wound.

To truly safeguard children’s well-being and right to education, policymakers must think beyond temporary fixes. This means investing in heat-resilient infrastructure, considering more flexible academic calendars, introducing blended learning models, and most importantly, consulting with health experts and educators before making decisions that affect millions of young lives.

Education is not just about attendance—it’s about enabling students to learn safely, consistently, and with dignity. In the face of a changing climate, it’s time we evolve our systems to reflect that reality. Anything less is a disservice to the very future we claim to protect.

The author is part of Alfaaz – The Words Editorial team. He can be reached at journalistnhandrabi@gmail.com