Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 20: With the onset of winter amid dense foggy conditions in Kashmir, the parents of school going children Monday appealed the Education Department to announce early winter vacation for elementary level students.
Besides, the Private School Association have also requested for the early winter vacations especially for the minor children.
Parents of minor school going kids said that they can’t risk their children getting sick because of cold weather conditions and misty fog.
One of the parents, Aijaz Ahmad said, “It is better to teach my kids back at home rather than exposing them of cold weather and dense fog.” Ahmad said that he can’t let his 11 year old daughter fall prey to this weather. “My daughter is studying in a government school and everyday she complains of cold weather situation inside the classroom,” he said. Another parent said, “If the government can’t provide sufficient support of heating facilities to the students, it is better to keep my wards back at home instead of letting them fall ill.”
The parents said that the government shall either announce early winter vacations or provide adequate heating facilities especially upto the primary level students. Meanwhile, the Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) has asked the government to announce the winter vacation for schools, especially for lower classes on a priority basis, due to minus temperatures and foggy conditions. In a statement, the Association said that they have been receiving representations from a number of parents and even schools about the inclement weather conditions. “For a 4-year-old kid, it is extremely difficult to get up early and get ready for school during this weather. We are not a developed nation where houses, buses, and schools are all centrally heated. We have to adjust according to the weather,” it reads.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has also urged the Directorate of School Education in Kashmir to declare early winter vacation for school children, citing the prevailing cold weather conditions. President of the Alliance, Aijaz Shahdhar in a statement said that the students, particularly those in lower classes are grappling with the challenges of attending school in the frigid temperatures.
Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Alok Kumar said that it will announce winter vacations shortly for lower and primary classes. Kumar said, “We are considering lower and primary classes for early winter vacations and will announce decision shortly.”
