The educational institutions in Kashmir valley witnessed over 200 working days this year after a gap of twenty years, officials said.
They said from primary to higher educational institutions, the academic session witnessed highest number of working days from March till November this year.
Out of 275 days including 36 Sundays and around 40 government holidays from March 2 to November 30 of 2022, the schools up to primary level classes had a fruitful academic session of 200 days, the official said and added, “The students as well as the teachers are cherishing the move”.
Earlier, the schools across Kashmir reopened for routine class work of students from March 2, 2022, in a phased manner for students of primary classes to higher secondary class students.
During the previous years, the educational institutions were the worst hit due to the outbreak of Covid19 pandemic, which resulted in the prolonged closure of the institutions.
Prior to the resumption of the classes, Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta said that the academic year 2022-23 would be the year of educational transformation for J&K.
“Each head of the institution will be personally responsible for a healthy teaching environment. There should be no tolerance for unhealthy activities in places of learning,” he said.
In the wake of this, separate directions were issued by the School Education Department (SED) for ensuring smooth transition of students from online mode to offline mode by creating a favorable environment for the students in the schools.
Meanwhile the November 30, 2022 marked the last working day for the primary schools.
This year the students got enough time to remain associated with classes due to peaceful atmosphere in valley. According to officials of Directorate of School Education Kashmir, the decline in hartals, stone pelting and street protests in valley provided students enough time to remain in classes.
“In past the hartals, stone pelting and street protests led to prolonged closure of schools that affected the education of students badly. However after 2019 the situation has entirely changed that benefited the students as well as teachers a lot”, an official wishing not to be named told KNS.
He said the educational institutions across Kashmir valley have geared up their academic activities this year and provided students an opportunity to showcase their talent apart from attending classes. “Every school adhered to its schedule given by authorities this year. Functions, debates, seminars, awareness campaigns, annual days and other events were held in educational institutions this year that boosted the morale of students and provided them an opportunity to showcase their talent. In past these events were impossible to happen but now situation is very much conducive and students are getting benefited out of it”, the official added.
Pertinently the government has also shifted the examination to March from the current year. Under this schedule, the annual 2022 examinations would be held in March 2023. “The move has paved the way for adoption of a Uniform Academic Calendar in Kashmir” the official added.
As per officials the decision will also give more time to students to prepare for their exams.
