Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Nov 25: School Education Department (SED) Tuesday announced winter break in a phased manner for Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division.
SED Secretary Ram Niwas Sharma in an order said that the vacations for Pre-primary (Balvatika) classes shall commence from November-26 to February-28-2026.
In case of middle classes upto 8th standard, Sharma said that the vacations shall be observed from December-01 to February-28.
It also said that the winter break for 9th to 12th standard shall commence from December-11 to February-22.
SED also said that all Teaching faculty shall remain available for any academic activity during the vacation period.
“The Teaching staff shall report back to their respective schools on February-20-2026 for making arrangements regarding opening of schools,” reads the order.
SED said that any default on the part of the Heads of Institutions or Teaching staff in observance of the above schedule shall attract strict action under the Rules.
Pertinently, two weeks back it was reported that the School Education Department had tentatively decided to announce the winter vacations in a phased manner from the first week of December for the winter zone of Kashmir division.
Sources had informed that Education Minister Sakeena Itoo in a review meeting had informed the officials of the department that the government will likely announce winter vacation for primary level classes from the first week of December.
The official sources had further informed that in case of other classes upto 12th standard, the vacations are likely from the second week of December.
