Amidst a severe heatwave with record-breaking temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir this month, the School Education Department (SED) has announced a revision of school timings, according to an official statement released on Tuesday.
Authorities announced that school timings in all government and recognised private schools up to the Higher Secondary level in the Kashmir division will be changed to 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The timings earlier were 9am to 3pm for primary schools and 9 am to 3.30 for higher secondary schools.
This decision follows numerous requests from parents and other stakeholders due to the intense heatwave currently affecting Jammu and Kashmir.
"Several representations are pouring in from parents and other stakeholders regarding the change in school timings for students due to the ongoing heat wave," stated an order by the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK).
Heatwave conditions are expected to continue in the coming days.
"Given the above and considering the requests from parents and various stakeholders, as well as the weather forecast, classwork in all government and recognised private schools up to the Higher Secondary level in the Kashmir division shall commence from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm in both rural and urban areas," the DSEK order states.
Additionally, the order clarifies that teaching and non-teaching staff are required to attend to their duties from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. "This arrangement will continue up to 10th August 2024," it added.
As of 2024, Kashmir is experiencing an intense and prolonged heatwave. This year's heatwave has been notably severe, with temperatures touching record highs of 35.7 degrees C and remaining above normal.
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