The Jammu and Kashmir government has extended winter holidays for schools in the Valley and winter zone areas of the Jammu division due to severe weather conditions. Schools will now reopen on 7 March 2025 instead of 1 March 2025.
Sakina Itoo, Minister of School/Higher Education, Health & Medical Education, and Social Welfare, made the announcement. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she stated, "In response to the prevailing weather conditions in the valley, schools up to higher secondary level will now reopen on 7 March 2025."
The government’s official notice states, “The winter vacation declared vide Government Order No. 521-JK (Edu) of 2024 dated 06.12.2024 for all government/private schools up to higher secondary level of Kashmir Division and winter zones of Jammu Division is hereby extended up to 6 March 2025. The schools shall now reopen on 7 March 2025 instead of 1 March 2025.”
According to the schedule, winter vacations for Classes 5 to 12 began on 16 December 2024 and were initially set to end on 28 February 2025, with schools reopening on 1 March. However, the adverse weather has led to the extension.
Adverse Weather Conditions Disrupt Normal Life
The decision comes as the region experiences heavy snowfall, affecting daily life and transportation. Overnight snowfall disrupted rail, air, and road connectivity in several parts of Kashmir. Officials reported landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. While plains received heavy rainfall, higher-altitude areas, including popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, saw moderate to heavy snowfall.
Also Read - Flights delayed, highways blocked as heavy snowfall wreaks havoc in Jammu and Kashmir
The weather office has predicted an improvement in conditions from Friday afternoon. However, the bad weather has already caused disruptions to flights at Srinagar airport, rail services, and road transport along key routes, including the Srinagar-Jammu highway.
Students, parents, and guardians are advised to stay in touch with their respective schools for further updates. The extension applies to both government and private schools up to the higher secondary level.
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