School timings changed in Kashmir as weather improves

SRINAGAR — Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Friday ruled out any further extension of the summer vacation, citing concerns over syllabus completion. She said the decision was taken after receiving repeated calls from parents and students suggesting a change in school timing rather than more holidays.

“Extending vacations would have affected syllabus coverage. Our goal is to make children competitive, and for that, classroom time is crucial,” Itoo told reporters in Srinagar.

The minister said she had instructed officials to gather public opinion before finalizing the decision. “We wanted to hear from people. Once the feedback came in, we revised the school timing accordingly,” she said.

As per the revised schedule, schools in urban areas will now function from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, while those in rural areas will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Itoo said the move balances academic priorities with public feedback, ensuring that students stay on track with their studies without compromising their well-being.