Directorate of School Education Kashmir extends winter vacation

In response to the weather forecast issued by the Meteorological Department, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has announced a two-day extension to the winter vacation for school children.

The decision, conveyed through an official order issued by the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Thursday afternoon, comes in anticipation of heavy snowfall predicted by the Meteorological Department.

With an advisory issued for expected heavy snowfall, potentially disrupting surface and air transport, the weather department forecasts light to moderate snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir on March 1. Moreover, moderate to very heavy rains and snowfall are anticipated across the entire region.

Originally scheduled to resume routine class work on March 1 after a winter vacation spanning over three months—from November 28 to February 29 in a phased manner—the reopening of schools for students has been postponed due to the adverse weather conditions.

While teaching staff resumed duties from February 21 as planned, the decision to delay the resumption of class work was made in light of the impending weather conditions. Director of School Education Kashmir, Tasaduq Hussain Mir, remarked, “Given the weather forecast of heavy rains and snowfall, we decided to delay the reopening of schools for routine class work for two days.”

Accordingly, the DSEK order mandates that class work in all government and privately recognized schools will now resume from March 4, 2024, providing students with additional time to accommodate for the forecasted weather disruptions.