Amid an unseasonal heatwave sweeping across the Kashmir Valley, education authorities have revised school timings to safeguard student health.
Starting Monday, schools within the Srinagar municipal limits will function from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, while those outside will operate from 9 am to 3 pm.
The directive follows soaring temperatures in the region, with Srinagar touching 32°C—around 7°C above the seasonal norm. In Qazigund, the mercury climbed to 33.2°C, nearly 9°C above average, signalling one of the earliest and most intense pre-summer heat spells the Valley has witnessed in recent years. The move was prompted by growing concern among parents and school staff over the health risks posed to children attending morning assemblies under direct sunlight. Education Minister Sakina Itoo responded swiftly after receiving multiple representations. “We must prioritise our children’s health.
Many parents reported children feeling dizzy and uncomfortable during the assemblies. Immediate action was essential,” she said. Typically, changes in school timings are announced in June to align with seasonal adjustments, but the unusually early temperature spike forced a pre-emptive policy shift. The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) confirmed the revised timings in an official notification, urging schools to also minimise outdoor exposure for students during peak heat hours. The new schedule is being viewed as part of a larger narrative of climate adaptation within civic and educational governance. While educational calendars in the Valley have always been sensitive to weather changes, this year’s early onset of heat has triggered deeper concerns about long-term climate impacts on children’s routines and well-being.
Parents across districts have broadly welcomed the decision, though some have urged schools to further limit outdoor activities entirely during the hottest hours. Meanwhile, school administrations are reportedly coordinating logistics to implement the changes efficiently without disrupting academic continuity. The development adds to the broader challenge of how Himalayan regions, historically characterised by temperate weather, are adjusting to changing climate patterns. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense across northern India, the conversation around adaptive governance, particularly in education and public health, is gaining fresh urgency.
For now, the DSEK has not specified how long the revised timings will be in effect but has signalled that future extensions will be considered based on prevailing weather patterns. Authorities also reminded schools to remain flexible in their approach and ready to adapt swiftly to climatic anomalies. The shift, while temporary in nature, could mark a precedent for climate-responsive educational policy in the region—one that balances academic demands with the physiological and psychological well-being of young learners.
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