The government has officially announced early winter vacations for kindergarten classes across Kashmir, marking a significant shift in the academic calendar due to the rapidly declining temperatures in the Valley. The early decision comes after several districts reported severe cold conditions, triggering concerns among parents, teachers, and school authorities.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed that November 25 will be the last working day for all kindergarten classes. This move has been taken following detailed consultations with the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) and continuous appeals from parents who were worried about the harsh weather affecting young learners.
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The announcement specifically targets pre-primary and kindergarten students, who are the most vulnerable to low temperatures. Their winter break has been advanced this year, unlike the scheduled vacation timeline for senior classes.
Why Winter Vacations Were Announced Early
Kashmir is currently experiencing an unusually early cold wave. The drop in temperatures has raised several operational challenges for schools, especially those catering to kindergarten children. Many schools lack fully equipped heating systems, which increases discomfort for younger students during morning classes.
Repeated requests from parents have also played a major role. Parents highlighted issues such as:
- Extremely cold morning temperatures
- Increasing seasonal flu and respiratory illnesses
- Long travel distances for small children
- Early frost and fog across several districts
Recognizing these concerns, the government decided that the best immediate step was to advance winter vacations for pre-primary classes instead of waiting for the regular holiday schedule.
What About Classes Up to 8th?
While the government has advanced holidays for kindergarten, winter vacations for Classes 1st to 8th will follow the previously expected schedule, starting in the first week of December.
This means:
- Senior primary classes will continue for another week after kindergarten closes
- Schools may adjust teaching plans due to weather conditions
- Final announcements for Classes 1 to 8 will be issued officially soon
The staggered approach helps maintain academic continuity while prioritizing the youngest learners who are more sensitive to cold weather.
Expected Winter Vacation Pattern for 2025
Here is a likely winter vacation structure based on current updates and ministerial hints:
| Class Category | Expected Last Working Day | Vacation Start |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten / Pre-Primary | 25 November 2025 | 26 November 2025 |
| Classes 1st to 5th | End of November or Early December | 1st Week of December |
| Classes 6th to 8th | 1st Week of December | 1st Week of December |
| Classes 9th to 12th | After syllabus completion & assessment schedule | 1st–2nd Week of December |
The government will release a complete holiday order soon after reviewing weather conditions across districts.
