Time to compensate academic losses

In Jammu & Kashmir, the natural calamities and cross-border tensions are unfortunate and recurring realities; therefore, the education often becomes the first casualty. The recent closure of schools due to devastating floods, coming on the heels of multiple shutdowns earlier this year by cross-border shelling, has once again disrupted the academic calendar, leaving thousands of students struggling to keep pace with their studies. This disruption is not a one-off incident; it’s part of a chronic pattern that has plagued border and disaster-prone areas for years. While safety must always be the top priority, the long-term academic consequences of these repeated closures cannot be overlooked any longer. In this context, the government’s move to seek suggestions from stakeholders on how to address these academic setbacks is welcome, but now it is time to move beyond consultation and take concrete and visible action. Students in border areas face a unique set of challenges. Unlike their peers in more stable regions, their schooling is punctuated by uncertainty and fear. They are forced to stay home during active shelling, and now, many find their classrooms underwater. This repeated loss of classroom time is a long-term setback that affects learning outcomes, exam performance and future opportunities. If the government is serious about ensuring equal educational opportunities for all, it must act decisively. The immediate and long-term measures that should be considered include Supplementary Classes and Bridge Courses, Strengthening Digital Infrastructure, Mobile Schools and Safe Learning Zones, Teacher Support and Training and Academic Flexibility. While disaster and conflict may be beyond our immediate control, the response to academic disruption is not. The resilience of our students must be matched by the resolve of our systems. Delayed or half-hearted measures will only deepen the inequality between students in peaceful and conflict-affected zones.