Educational Institutions to Remain Closed for Two Days in Kashmir: Sakina Itoo

Srinagar, Mar 1: The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to close all educational institutions across the Kashmir Valley for two days as a precautionary measure amid widespread protests in the region.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the decision was taken to ensure the safety and security of students. “We have decided to keep schools, colleges and universities closed for two days,” she said, adding that the situation is being closely monitored and a decision on reopening will be taken after assessing the ground conditions.

Protests erupted across parts of Jammu and Kashmir following reports of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in alleged joint US-Israeli strikes, leading to disruptions in normal life in several areas.

Notably, schools up to Class 8 were scheduled to reopen on Monday after a winter break of over two months. Earlier, classes for students of Grades 9 to 12 had resumed on February 23 in the Kashmir division and winter zones of the Jammu division after a break of more than 70 days.

The School Education Department had announced winter vacations in a phased manner. Pre-primary (Balvatika) classes were on break from November 26 to February 28, while Classes 1 to 8 observed vacations from December 1 to February 28. For Classes 9 to 12, the winter break was scheduled from December 11 to February 22.

Teaching staff had been directed to remain available for academic activities during the vacation period and to report back to their respective schools on February 20 to prepare for reopening.

Meanwhile, colleges in the Kashmir Valley had resumed academic activities on February 16 after a 52-day winter vacation. The Higher Education Department had earlier announced winter vacations for degree colleges in the Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division from December 24 to February 14.