Tomorrow Will Be Last Working Day for Kindergarten: Sakina Itoo
The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Nov 24: The government has decided to announce early winter vacations for pre-primary classes, with Minister for Education Sakina Itoo confirming that Tuesday, November 25, will be the last working day for kindergarten students.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, the minister said she had discussed the matter with the Director of School Education Kashmir and agreed on the immediate closure of kindergarten classes in view of the prevailing cold weather.
The move follows rising demands from parents, who have been urging authorities to declare vacations early for younger children due to the dip in temperatures across the Valley. The concern intensified days after the government announced that winter vacations for classes up to 8th standard would begin in the first week of December.
“Temperature is already below normal. The time of mulling over a decision is over, they need to act now for primary kids’ sake. Think about kids with asthma and cold allergy. Going out right now is literally suicide for them,” said Asma, a parent from Srinagar.
Parents said shifting between centrally heated classrooms and outdoor assemblies was unsafe for small children, warning that exposure in the harsh weather could be harmful. They added that despite sunny afternoons, the cold conditions were not suitable for young students.
Sakina Itoo also acknowledged the severe dip in temperature. “Weather is very cold in Kashmir. Keeping in view the cold weather conditions, we have decided to close kindergarten classes early,” she said.
The formal order on winter vacations for pre-primary classes is expected to be issued shortly.
