Restoration of November academic session in Kashmir schools back in focus

With Jammu and Kashmir now having an elected government, demand is growing for restoration of the November-December school session in the Valley.

In 2022, during the Central government rule, the L-G administration had shifted the academic school session from November to March. The authorities then said the move is aimed at a uniform academic calendar which would eventually be synchronised with the national academic calendar.

Ever since the government is in place, there is a strong growing demand that the new government should restore the old session.

The Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday expressed support for the restoration of the November-December school session, welcoming it as a necessary reversal of what it termed a “patently retrograde decision.”

“The March academic session caused significant academic losses. The November-December session had been implemented decades ago, keeping in mind Jammu and Kashmir’s unique climatic and topographical challenges,” Naeem Akhtar, former Education Minister and senior PDP leader said.

He said a committee headed by the then Governor Bhagwan Sahai had recommended the academic calendar best suited to the region’s conditions. This change, he said, had proven immensely beneficial, ensuring students did not lose precious learning time due to harsh winters and other disruptions.

He said the focus of future policies must remain on quality education, especially in government schools, which form the backbone of the public education system.

Lok Sabha MP from North Kashmir, Engineer Rashid, in a statement said during his visit to Government Degree College, Handwara, the students expressed concern about the drawbacks of continuing with the March academic session as it has disrupted their academic rhythm and wasted time.

“Rashid assured them that he would take up the matter with the highest authorities in the government to revert the academic session to November. He pointed out that both the ruling and Opposition parties acknowledge that the March session has caused significant disruption, and urged the government to promptly announce a return to the November session,” he said.

The J&K Unaided Private School Association extended heartfelt appreciation to Education Minister Sakeena Itoo “for her visionary approach for revising the academic session calendar from March to November.”

“This much-needed reform will better align the academic year with the region’s climate and global education standards, enhancing the learning experience for students,” the association said in a statement.

Education Minister Sakeena Itoo last week said that public suggestions would be sought regarding the matter. Sources said, while chairing her first review meeting of the School Education Department, she asked department officials to come up with a plan for restoration of the November session in schools.