Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, July 23: The recent directive from the Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) to alter school timings to 8 am to 1 pm has sparked significant backlash among parents and educators. The decision, intended to mitigate the impact of soaring temperatures, has been criticized for being inadequate and failing to address the core issue.
The DSEK’s order, effective from July 24 upto August 10, 2024 aimed to adjust school hours to the cooler part of the day, thereby ensuring a more comfortable learning environment for students. With temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C, the intent was to shield students from the intense heat of the afternoon.
However, the new schedule has done little to appease parents’ concerns. Many argue that the timing change is superficial and does not effectively address the challenges posed by the scorching summer heat. “Shifting school hours to the morning doesn’t change the fact that children are still exposed to high temperatures. The classrooms are not air-conditioned, and it’s impossible for the kids to concentrate in this heat,” says Aisha Khan, a mother of two primary school children.
Parents are calling for a more substantial measure: an extension of summer vacations. They argue that the break would provide a necessary respite for younger students who are most vulnerable to heat-related health issues. “Why can’t the authorities just extend the summer break for primary school children? It’s not as if they are preparing for board exams. Their health should be the priority,” argues Tariq Ahmad, another concerned parent.
Health experts support the parents’ stance, highlighting the risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Dr. Sameer Malik, a pediatrician, notes, “Children, especially those in primary school, are at a higher risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Keeping them in such conditions, even during the morning hours, is not advisable.”
Managing Director of the reputed Santorum Institute, a private school in north Kashmir, reacting to the school timing order, said, “It will be very difficult for the young children to be taken out of their homes in the morning. Even when they are seated in the classrooms, they will mostly be in a sleepy mood. It would have been better to extend the summer vacations at least until the 1st standard.”
Shakir further said, “For the rest, from the 2nd standard onwards, it’s a relief, at least they can get some happy moments during this scorching heat.”
Another administrator of one of the valley’s private school told Kashmir Despatch that this order is a problem for the young children, as how will they leave their homes at 6 in the morning since they have to come to school from quite long routes… Even for the school administration, this is no less of a problem.
He said that they have to get the vehicles ready from 5 in the morning itself, as they have to cover long distances, and then just imagine when the children will wake up from their sleep and get ready.
He said it would have been better to extend the summer vacations, if not up to the 10th standard, then at least up to the 1st standard, as an extension of the summer vacations would have been good.
Teachers and school administrators are also weighing in on the controversy. Many believe that the directive was well-intentioned but poorly executed. “We understand the DSEK’s intention to mitigate the effects of the heatwave, but the reality is that our school infrastructure is not equipped to handle these conditions. We lack adequate cooling systems, and many classrooms become unbearable by mid-morning,” explains a teacher from a government school in Srinagar.
President Jammu and Kashmir Private Schools Association, G.N. Var, told Kashmir Despatch that there is a need to change the mindset. He said, “If the temperature does not decrease even after 20 days, then what?”
He said that the overall academic syllabus of the students will be affected, so a change in school timings is the best option. “At least, there will be no impact on the completion of the students’ syllabus.”
He also said, “Then, we should not have changed the March session. From here, we are saying that there should be an extension of the summer vacation. But then, how will the students complete their syllabus?”
Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts, the Director of School Education, Tasaduk Hussain, was not available for comments.
The growing chorus of dissatisfaction has led to calls for immediate reconsideration of the current approach. Parents and educators are urging the DSEK to announce another spell of summer vacations, at least for students up to the primary level, to ensure their well-being.
In a statement, the Parents Association of Kashmir expressed their collective concern: “The decision to change school timings is a half-measure that fails to protect our children from the severe summer heat. We appeal to the authorities to prioritize our children’s health and extend the summer vacation.”
As temperatures continue to rise, the debate over school timings in Kashmir underscores a larger issue of preparedness and responsiveness to climate challenges. The DSEK’s directive, while aimed at alleviating the heat’s impact, falls short of addressing the fundamental concerns of parents and health experts. A reevaluation of the policy, with a focus on the health and safety of young students, is urgently needed. The call for an extended summer break is not just a demand but a necessary step to ensure the well-being of Kashmir’s youngest learners.
