SRINAGAR, JULY 05: Amid an ongoing and unprecedented heatwave sweeping across the Kashmir Valley, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to extend the summer vacation in schools by at least two more weeks. The appeal was directed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakina Itoo, citing concerns over student safety and inadequate infrastructure in many schools.
In a statement released on Friday, the KCCI highlighted the pressing need to prioritize children’s health during what is being described as one of the harshest summers the Valley has witnessed in recent years. “The safety and well-being of our children must be the foremost concern,” said Faiz Ahmed Bakshi, Secretary General of the KCCI. “Many of our schools, particularly those in rural and semi-urban areas, simply do not have the infrastructure to cope with this extreme heat. There are classrooms without proper ventilation, fans, or any kind of cooling mechanism.”
The current summer vacation, which began in late June, is scheduled to end on July 7. However, with temperatures continuing to soar above normal, the Chamber believes that reopening schools under such conditions could expose children to unnecessary health risks. “We are not asking for a permanent closure but a temporary extension,” Bakshi added. “Let the children stay indoors while this intense weather continues. A two-week extension would not only protect students but also give schools time to assess and, where possible, improve basic cooling infrastructure.” To address concerns about academic loss during the extended break, the KCCI has proposed that the government adopt digital learning strategies to keep students engaged. “The government should initiate online classes during the extended vacation. This will ensure academic continuity without compromising student health,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to immediately extend the ongoing summer vacation in schools in view of the intense and unprecedented heatwave sweeping across the Valley. In a statement, KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar said the temperature in Srinagar crossed 37 degrees Celsius on Friday — a level not witnessed since 1953. He said such extreme weather poses a serious health risk to school-going children, especially in the absence of proper infrastructure like cooling systems and ventilation in most schools. Shahdhar stressed that continuing physical classes under the current conditions would be unsafe and counterproductive. He urged the Education Department to extend the vacation beyond July 7, the scheduled reopening date, and recommended the initiation of online classes during the extended break to ensure academic continuity.
The KTA also appealed to Education Minister Sakina Itoo to take urgent action and issue necessary directions keeping in view student health and safety. The Alliance said the government must act swiftly and responsibly to prevent further distress among children and their families due to the ongoing heatwave.