The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Amid the heat wave, the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) on Tuesday ordered summer vacation for all government and private schools from June 1 to July 16 in summer zone areas of the region.

According to the news agency KNO, DSEJ in an order said, “All the government and recognised private schools falling in summer zone of Jammu Division shall observe summer vacation from 01-06-2024 to 16-07-2024.”

The directorate further ordered that all teachers shall remain available for any online guidance of students during the vacation period.

“Any default on the part of the head of the school or teaching staff in observance of the above schedule shall attract action under rules,” DSEJ said.

SRINAGAR — In a bizarre twist, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday distributed Physical Education question papers of 11th standard to 12th standard candidates.

Hundreds of 12th standard candidates were left to lurch who had sleepless nights to prepare for the annual regular exams of Physical Education paper.

The news agency KNO spoke to some of the exam in-charges and candidates appearing in the annual regular exams of 12th standard who expressed concern about the lackadaisical approach of the Board.

One of the students said that the examination pattern of Physical Education was entirely different as was shown and notified by the Board. “Ironically, only two marks were taken from the 12th standard syllabus. Rest the question paper of 12th standard was set from 11th standard syllabus,” she said.

One of the exam in-charge said that students in the centre were crying as ‘even a couple of students fainted’.

Officials of JKBOSE said, “We have postponed the exams and will issue the notification in a while. We got the information of the issue and we have decided to reschedule the exams. New dates will be issued soon,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the School Education Department has constituted a committee to enquire about the distribution of wrong question papers.

Administrative Secretary, School Education Department, Piyush Singla accordingly accorded the constitution of the committee, comprising of Directors of School Education of both Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Singla said that they shall enquire into the incident of wrong distribution of 11th class question papers to 12th class students who appeared in the Board examination on March 20, 2024 by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education.

It also said that the committee shall look into the circumstances of the cancellation of the examination and the responsibility shall be fixed on the supervisory and administrative level for the negligence.

“The committee shall co-opt any Chief Education Officer and other officer and submit its findings report to the Administrative Secretary within seven days,” it reads.

JAMMU — The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has decided to extend the winter vacation for schools in Jammu's summer zone due to the prevailing extreme cold weather conditions. The new extension will be in effect until January 27, 2024.

"In view of prevailing extreme cold conditions and in continuation to previous orders, all the schools up to 12th class functioning in Summer Zones of Jammu Division shall observe vacations from January 22, 2024, to January 27, 2024," reads an official order from DSEJ.

The order specified that students engaged in Republic Day celebrations' rehearsals are exempted from the extended vacation period.

"However, students practising for participation in Republic Day celebrations shall continue to come for the rehearsal, and the Head of Institutions (HOIs) shall ensure that all the arrangements for the Republic Day Function are in place (including enthusiastic participation of the students)," the order further stated.

SRINAGAR — Bringing relief and joy to students and educators alike, the Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has declared winter vacations for the summer zones in the region. The vacation period is scheduled to commence from December 26 and conclude on January 4.

According to an official order, "All government schools and recognized private schools of the summer zone of Jammu Division shall observe winter vacations from December 26 to January 4, 2024."

The order also stipulated that despite the vacation period, "All teachers shall remain available on demand for any online guidance of students." This directive emphasizes the commitment of educators to support students' academic needs, even during the holiday break.

SRINAGAR — More than 13,000 private and government schools of Kashmir valley and winter zones of Jammu division are all set to resume academics on Wednesday following a three-month-long winter vacation.

According to the news agency KNO, the School Education Department on November 25 announced the closure of schools for winter vacations in a phased manner in Kashmir and winter zones of Jammu division from December 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023.

The vacations for primary level classes up to 5th standard were observed from December 1 to February 28 while for the 6th to 8th standard, the closure of schools for winter vacations was observed from December 12 to February 28.

Likewise, in the case of secondary and senior secondary level students, vacation was observed from December 19 to February 28.

According to official figures, a total of 10,851 government and 2550 private schools are functioning in the Kashmir division.

In the meantime, the School Education Department on Tuesday changed school timing in Srinagar city from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

The Under Secretary to the Government for School Education Department said, “I am directed to convey the approval of the department for change of school timings in Srinagar city from 9 AM to 2 PM from March 1.”

SRINAGAR — The J&K Government on Monday renamed 52 public schools and five other infrastructures after those cops and security forces who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Besides, the government also renamed one infrastructure in the name of Makhan Lal Bindroo—a pharmacist who was shot dead at his establishment in Srinagar.

According to the news agency KNO, Secretary to Government Piyush Singla said, “Sanction is accorded to the naming of 57 infrastructure and assets after martyrs and eminent personalities.”

Previously, the government had renamed scores of educational establishments and roads after some eminent personalities and the security forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. Besides, the government had ordered necessary steps to be taken for amending the records for effecting the changes.

According to the order, the School Education Department has been asked to take immediate necessary steps including amending records for effecting the changes.

“Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and Jammu shall personally monitor the naming of infrastructure assets in their respective divisions while the Deputy Commissioners shall ensure that appropriate events are held in connection with the naming of these infrastructures and assets,” it reads.

SRINAGAR — The School Education Department on Saturday announced summer vacations in Jammu region from May 23.

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Director of School Education Jammu in a communique has said, “In view of the prevailing hot weather conditions, it is hereby ordered that all the government educational Institutions and recognized Private Schools shall observe Summer vacation.”

The communique states that up to the 8th standard, the vacations are slated from May 23 to July 9 and for classes 9th to 12th, the vacation is slated from May 30 to July 9.