The Education Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Sakina Itoo, has announced that all schools in the Union Territory will reopen on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, after the summer vacation. This decision applies to all schools from primary classes to class 12, whether they are in cities or villages.
The minister also shared a new timetable for schools. According to the order:
Schools in municipal (city) areas will run from 7:30 am to 11:30 am.
Schools in rural areas will run from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.
After reaching home, students will get a 1-hour break, and then they must attend online classes for 2 more hours.
Teachers are required to stay at school until 2:00 pm to complete their duties.
This new schedule is part of the government’s effort to balance learning after the summer break and possibly manage hot weather conditions. However, not everyone is happy with this decision.
The decision to reopen schools so quickly and add extra online classes has received criticism from many parents, teachers, and health professionals. They feel that the government acted too fast and did not think enough about the students' well-being, especially during the hot summer days.
Many believe that such early school hours and online classes afterward may be too much for students, especially for younger children. Critics have called the decision insensitive and rushed. They say the government should have consulted more people before making such a big change.
Health experts have also raised concerns about the mental and physical stress on children. They argue that combining offline and online classes in one day may lead to fatigue, and children may lose interest in learning due to overload. Some doctors warned that continuous screen time after regular classes can affect eyesight, sleep, and brain development, especially in smaller kids.
Teachers also worry that they will now have longer working hours, as they must not only teach in the morning but also manage online sessions and stay at school till 2 pm. Many say the school infrastructure is not yet ready to support this type of hybrid learning model, especially in rural areas where internet access is weak or missing.
Many people are now urging the government to rethink or adjust the plan. They want the authorities to ensure that all schools are well-prepared before reopening. This includes clean classrooms, working fans or coolers, and proper drinking water for the students and staff.
Some parents have suggested that school reopening should be delayed for a few more days, giving families and schools time to prepare. Others say the online class rule should be optional, especially for those who live in areas with no internet or poor mobile signals.
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Education experts have recommended that the government should focus more on student safety, gradual learning, and relieving pressure, rather than trying to cover the entire syllabus quickly. They say that a balanced routine, with time for rest, play, and learning, is more important than long school hours.
So far, the government has not changed its decision, but public opinion continues to grow. It remains to be seen if the Education Department will issue a new circular or respond to the feedback from parents, teachers, and experts.
The Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister has announced that schools will reopen on July 8 with revised class timings and extra online lessons. However, the decision has drawn criticism from parents, teachers, and health experts, who are worried about student health, preparation, and internet access. Many are now calling for reconsideration or better planning to ensure that the move is truly in the best interest of students and teachers.
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