Rayees Masroor
In the heart of Kashmir, where nature’s beauty unfolds in vibrant springs, golden autumns, sweltering summers, and frosty winters, the rhythm of life is deeply intertwined with the seasons. Yet, as climate change reshapes the Valley’s weather patterns, bringing hotter summers and harsher winters, the education system faces a pressing need to adapt. The academic calendar, particularly the timing and duration of school vacations, has become a topic of heartfelt discussion among parents, educators, and policymakers. It’s time for Kashmir to embrace a structured, climate-adaptive vacation policy—one that prioritizes the well-being of students while fostering an environment where learning can flourish.
Schooling is a journey filled with discovery, but it is not without its challenges. For young learners, especially those in primary and middle grades, the demands of education can feel overwhelming. Sitting still, maintaining focus, and absorbing complex information require immense cognitive and emotional effort. Young children, with their naturally shorter attention spans, often struggle to stay engaged for long periods. Some students may feel disconnected from their studies, finding it hard to see the value in their lessons, while others grapple with the sheer volume of work. Memory retention, particularly among younger learners, can also pose a hurdle, making the learning process feel like an uphill climb.
Breaks in the academic calendar offer a vital respite, allowing students to recharge and return to their studies with renewed energy. These pauses are not mere interruptions but essential intervals that nurture mental and physical well-being. Scientific research underscores that the human brain cannot sustain focus indefinitely; prolonged periods of intense concentration often lead to mental fatigue and burnout. Scheduled vacations provide students with opportunities to relax, explore personal interests, and reconnect with their communities, fostering social skills and a sense of belonging. Far from being just time off, these breaks enhance productivity, boost motivation, and create a more joyful learning environment.
Globally, school vacations are designed with purpose—offering rest, rejuvenation, and opportunities for enrichment. The structure of these breaks varies widely, shaped by regional climates and cultural norms. Some countries favor a long summer break, while others opt for shorter, more frequent pauses throughout the year. In Kashmir, the diverse climate calls for a tailored approach. Summers have grown increasingly intense, with June and July bringing unprecedented heatwaves—temperatures this year have soared to 39 degrees Celsius with no rainfall in sight. Winters, too, have become more severe, with shifting snowfall patterns disrupting daily life. These changing conditions demand a thoughtful reevaluation of the current vacation schedule to ensure it aligns with the Valley’s evolving climate.
The timing and duration of school vacations in Kashmir have long sparked lively debates. Winter breaks, in particular, draw varied opinions, with discussions swirling around their length and whether they should be uniform across all grades or tailored to different academic levels. Summer vacations, too, prompt questions about when they should begin and how long they should last. This year, the issue gained such prominence that the Education Minister of Jammu and Kashmir stepped in to provide clarity, underscoring the need for a more streamlined approach. The unpredictability surrounding vacation announcements often leads to confusion, disrupting the plans of students, teachers, and families. Social media amplifies these discussions, with voices from across the spectrum weighing in, yet the lack of a standardized policy leaves many feeling unheard.
A climate-responsive vacation policy could transform this uncertainty into harmony. By establishing a clear, pre-determined academic calendar, Kashmir’s education system can better support its students while accommodating the region’s unique climatic challenges. A well-planned schedule, announced well in advance, would allow families to organize travel, extracurricular activities, and personal time with ease. It would also provide teachers with the predictability needed to balance instructional days with meaningful breaks. For students, a structured calendar would offer the assurance of regular intervals to rest and recharge, ensuring they return to school refreshed and ready to learn.
What might such a policy look like? A three-to-four-week summer break during the peak heat of June and July could offer relief from soaring temperatures, allowing students to engage in creative pursuits or simply enjoy the outdoors during milder parts of the day. The winter break, traditionally longer due to harsh cold and snowfall, could be streamlined—perhaps shortened by a week—to maintain the required number of instructional days while still providing ample time for rest. This balanced approach would prioritize student well-being without compromising academic progress.
Beyond logistics, a climate-adaptive vacation policy reflects a deeper commitment to resilience and foresight. Climate change is no longer a distant concern for Kashmir; it is a present reality, reshaping the Valley’s seasons and challenging its communities. By integrating climate considerations into the academic calendar, policymakers can demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding the health and happiness of students. For instance, scheduling breaks during periods of extreme heat or cold can protect young learners from the physical and mental strain of harsh weather, ensuring they remain engaged and enthusiastic about their education.
Moreover, a standardized vacation policy would foster equity and inclusivity. Families across socioeconomic backgrounds would benefit from the predictability of a fixed calendar, enabling them to plan childcare, travel, or work commitments without last-minute disruptions. Teachers, too, would gain the stability needed to design curricula that align with the academic year’s rhythm, creating a more cohesive and effective learning experience. For students, the assurance of regular breaks would cultivate a sense of balance, helping them approach their studies with curiosity and confidence.
Implementing such a policy requires collaboration and vision. Education authorities, climate experts, teachers, and parents must come together to craft a calendar that reflects both scientific insights and the lived experiences of Kashmir’s communities. Engaging stakeholders in this process ensures that the policy is not only practical but also inclusive, addressing the diverse needs of urban and rural schools, public and private institutions, and students of all ages. Regular reviews of the calendar, informed by ongoing climate data, would allow the system to remain flexible and responsive to future changes.
Kashmir’s education system stands at a crossroads. By moving from ad-hoc announcements to a structured, climate-adaptive vacation policy, it can transform chaos into clarity, uncertainty into opportunity. This shift is not just about scheduling; it is about nurturing a generation of learners who are healthy, motivated, and ready to thrive. A well-crafted academic calendar is a testament to the Valley’s resilience—a promise that, even in the face of changing climates, the pursuit of knowledge will remain a source of joy and possibility for every child.
(Rayees Masroor is an independent columnist,counselor and academician based in north Kashmir.He writes extensively on Educational,Social and Youth related issues.He can be reached at rayeesmasroor111@gmail.com)
