Schools Reopen Across Kashmir After Winter Vacation and Week-Long Delay

Srinagar, Mar 9: Educational institutions across the Kashmir Valley reopened on Monday after remaining closed for the winter break, with the reopening delayed by over a week due to precautionary restrictions following protests in parts of the region.

Officials said schools, colleges and universities in all districts of the Kashmir division resumed normal functioning as students returned to classrooms after a long winter vacation.

Authorities had temporarily extended the closure of educational institutions last week to ensure the safety of students after demonstrations were reported in several areas following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel strike.

Students up to Class 8 resumed classes on Monday after holidays lasting more than two months, while Classes 9 to 12 had already reopened on February 23 in the Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu.

Earlier, the School Education Department had announced winter vacations in phases. Pre-primary classes observed holidays from November 26, 2025 to February 28, 2026, while schools up to Class 8 remained closed from December 1 to February 28.

Teachers were instructed to remain available for academic work during the vacation period and to report to their institutions on February 20 to prepare for the reopening of schools.