Srinagar, July 23(KNS): As heatwaves continues to grip Kashmir valley, after the Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) in an order change school timings from 8 am to 1 pm, implemented from today to August 10 the parents from several parts of kashmir criticizes the order said it will not bring relief to students.
However, this decision has sparked significant backlash from parents, who argue that the change is inadequate and will not address the core issue, with most of the parents demanding short term summer vacations to avoid any inconvenience.
Speaking with the Kashmir News Service, Farooq Ahmad, a parent from Baramulla, said that shifting school hours to the morning does not change the fact that children are exposed to high temperatures.
He also said that several governments do not even have proper sitting arrangements on how a student can concentrate in these heat waves in his study.
the classrooms in the valley are not air conditioned
In recent weeks, Jammu & Kashmir have experienced record-high temperatures, making daily activities uncomfortable and unsafe, particularly for younger students who are more susceptible to extreme weather conditions. Many schools lack adequate cooling infrastructure, leaving classrooms hotter than outdoor temperatures and creating a challenging environment for effective learning.
Another parent, Fozia, said that most of the schools do not even have drinking water facilities. "It is important to keep children hydrated in this scorching heat, instead of changing in timings, if the government announces a short term summer break it will bring some relief,".
She also added that most of the schools lack cooling facilities like fans, coolers, or AC, which makes classrooms hotter than outside temperature.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel"At several places, students travel more than 3-4 km in this scorching heat. How can that student then focus on his studies in his school? ''.
The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association also requested the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) to announce a short summer break for schools due to the severe heat wave sweeping the region The Association emphasized that the current weather conditions pose significant health risks to students.
In an official statement, National General Secretary of Association Aadil Bhat expressed grave concern about the decision to reopen schools, which was taken on July 18th. "We are not accustomed to such high temperatures, and the ongoing heatwave is making daily life extremely challenging. Students, in particular, are at risk as they are required to attend classes every day in conditions that can lead to dehydration, fatigue, and other heat-related illnesses," said Bilal.
Bhat further highlighted the inadequacies in school infrastructure, noting that most schools are ill-equipped to handle the extreme heat. "Many schools lack basic cooling facilities such as fans, and students often have to travel long distances in the scorching sun to reach their schools. This increases the likelihood of heat-induced health issues, including
The Association called on the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, and the Directorate of School Education to prioritize the health and safety of students. "Ensuring the well-being of our children should be our foremost concern. Exposing them to these extreme conditions in poorly equipped classrooms is both irresponsible and detrimental to their health and education," emphasized the spokesperson(KNS).