Row over move to open Valley schools amid heat | India News

SRINAGAR: A row has erupted between J&K’s Omar Abdullah-led government and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a decision to reopen schools in Kashmir from Tuesday amid heat that has scorched 72-year records and soared above 37 degree Celsius. PDP has criticised the move as “cruel”.School timings will be 7:30am to 11:30am in Srinagar and other urban zones, and 8:00am to 12 noon in rural areas, minister of school and higher education Sakina Itoo said Monday. Once classes give over, there will be a one-hour break, followed by two online classes, the minister said, adding teachers will remain available till 2pm in schools. Itoo ordered school heads to ensure online classes without exception.The online classes after school hours have ignited a controversy, with many calling it unprecedented and illogical. School hours in the Valley have usually been between 9am and 3pm, with minor variations.Govt had announced a 15-day summer break on June 23 after temperatures soared across the Valley. “Dragging groggy children to school at 7:30am in scorching heat, especially when so many govt schools lack fans, is illogical and cruel. Wonder who came up with this absurd and preposterous hybrid diktat,” PDP functionary Iltija Mufti said.Iltija claimed govt’s education policies were dictated by private schools that operate like “money-extorting mafia”. On Sunday, the Private Schools’ Association had opposed extension of the summer break, with its president G.N Var pressing for 6am-11am classes to beat the heatwave.PDP legislator Waheed Parra questioned such early-school plans and instead advocated “hybrid models such as alternate-day physical and online classes”. “Requiring students to report to schools in Srinagar by 7:30am is unreasonable, particularly for those commuting from far-off areas. Also, school dispersals at 11am or 12 noon, when the day’s heat peaks, won’t be appropriate,” Parra said.Social media was rife with criticism of the govt’s decision, with many saying the summer break be extended.On Saturday, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 37.4 degree Celsius, highest since 1953 and third-highest in the city’s history. The all-time high was 38.3 degree Celsius, logged on July 10, 1946.Met office offered little hope of respite anytime soon. Srinagar IMD director Mukhtar Ahmad told TOI the average temperature in June this year was around 35.6 degrees Celsius, 4 to 5 degrees above normal. While there may be occasional rainfall in the coming days, the weather is expected to remain mostly dry till June 11, Ahmad said.