The unrelenting heatwave gripping Jammu & Kashmir this summer has pushed temperatures to alarming levels, with Jammu recording highs above 40°C and even the Kashmir Valley experiencing unusual warmth nearing 35°C. These extreme conditions pose significant health risks and create an inhospitable environment for learning.
To safeguard the well-being of students and educators, the J&K Education Department, under the leadership of Honourable Education Minister Sakina Itoo, must consider extending summer vacations for schools across the region.The current heatwave is not a mere inconvenience—it is a public health concern.
The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings about the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and exhaustion, particularly for children who are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Many schools in J&K, especially in rural areas, lack adequate cooling systems, proper ventilation, or sufficient drinking water facilities. Expecting students to attend classes or travel to school in such conditions is not only impractical but potentially dangerous.
By extending summer vacations, the Education Department can ensure students remain safe at home during the peak heat of June and July, reducing their exposure to these risks.Moreover, high temperatures severely impact the quality of education. Research consistently shows that extreme heat impairs concentration, reduces cognitive performance, and increases fatigue among students and teachers.
In overcrowded and poorly ventilated classrooms, these effects are magnified, making effective teaching and learning nearly impossible. Extending the summer break would allow students to return to school when conditions are more conducive to academic success, ensuring that their education is not compromised by environmental challenges.
We acknowledge the Education Department’s efforts to address heatwave concerns, such as temporary school closures in some districts. However, a proactive and uniform policy to extend summer vacations by at least two to three weeks across J&K would provide clarity and consistency for schools, parents, and students.
This measure would particularly benefit students in the hotter plains of Jammu, where temperatures are most extreme, while also addressing the unusual warmth in the Valley.Concerns about academic disruptions are valid, but these can be addressed through careful planning.
The Education Department, under Minister Sakina Itoo’s guidance, could explore options such as adjusting the academic calendar to incorporate shorter breaks later in the year, introducing targeted online learning modules for critical subjects, or extending the school year slightly to cover the syllabus.
These strategies would balance the need for safety with the commitment to quality education. The Department’s recent initiatives to modernize education in J&K demonstrate its capacity for innovative solutions, and this is an opportunity to apply that forward-thinking approach.
Minister Sakina Itoo has consistently prioritized the welfare of students, and her leadership in this matter could set a precedent for responsive governance in the face of climate challenges.
By extending summer vacations, the Education Department would send a clear message: the health and safety of J&K’s children come first. This decision would also align with the government’s broader commitment to adapting to the realities of climate change, which is making summers increasingly unbearable.
We urge Honourable Minister Sakina Itoo and the Education Department to act swiftly and decisively. A policy to extend summer vacations would protect students, support teachers, and reassure parents, all while ensuring that education resumes in a safer, more productive environment. The time to act is now—J&K’s students deserve a summer that prioritizes their health and well-being.