Weather to decide summer break: Sakeena

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 23: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today said that the decision regarding the announcement of summer vacations will be taken based on the weather conditions.
Speaking with reporters, the Minister said that no final decision has been taken with regard to summer vacations in schools across Kashmir.
“So far, keeping in view the heatwave-and considering the demand from parents-we have revised the school timings. We will monitor the weather conditions and announce the summer vacations accordingly,” she said.
After announcing the change in timing, the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir (DSEK), in view of the heatwave conditions and frequent gusty winds, issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) advising schools to keep morning assemblies brief and hold them in shaded or indoor spaces “as far as possible.”
In a directive issued in this regard, the DSEK stated that due to the prevailing heatwave and the increasing frequency of afternoon stormy winds across Kashmir, it has become imperative to implement effective safety protocols to safeguard the health and well-being of students and staff.
According to the guidelines, morning assemblies must be kept short, prioritising essential announcements over prolonged drills or speeches.
All outdoor activities-including sports, games, and physical education-are to be conducted only before 10:30 AM.
“If outdoor activities are absolutely necessary, they must be conducted before 10:30 AM and with the following precautions: frequent and mandatory hydration breaks every 15-20 minutes, and the availability of potable drinking water at multiple accessible points,” the circular read.
Schools have been directed to shift physical activities to shaded areas and ensure close supervision by Physical Education Teachers and staff to monitor signs of heat stress, such as dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, headache, and fatigue.
The intensity and duration of physical exertion should be “significantly reduced,” the DSEK said, urging a focus on lighter indoor activities like board games, stretching exercises, creative arts and educational quizzes.
The DSEK also stressed the importance of well-ventilated classrooms, working fans, and functional cooling systems in school transport vehicles.
Schools have been asked to maintain a well-stocked first aid kit, particularly with items for treating heat-related illnesses such as ORS packets.
At least one staff member trained in basic first aid should be assigned to monitor students for symptoms of heat stress, the directive states, adding that a clear plan for emergency medical evacuation and ready access to parent and healthcare contacts is mandatory.
“All outdoor structures and lightweight items must be secured to prevent accidents during strong winds. All windows and doors must be latched properly before students and staff leave the premises.”
Earlier, the Directorate had also revised school timings due to the heatwave. For schools within the Srinagar Municipal limits, the new timing has been set from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
The parents, however, are of the opinion that the revised timing has served no purpose, stressing that setting the timing from 8 AM to 2 PM would provide relief.

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