The Kashmir Pulse

BANDIPORA — With schools in the Kashmir valley preparing to resume classes following winter vacations, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Bandipora has issued a directive for all teachers and masters stationed in the picturesque region of Gurez to return before the conclusion of the winter break.

An official disclosed to a Srinagar-based news agency that the CEO of Bandipora has instructed teachers, noting that the road connectivity from Bandipora to Gurez is now accessible for traffic.

Consequently, teachers are advised to plan their return to the valley before February 17, considering the forecasted snowy conditions.

The official emphasized that this directive was issued in anticipation of the reopening of schools in the Kashmir valley after the winter vacation, aiming to ensure seamless schooling and examination schedules.

It is pertinent to mention that schools in the Kashmir valley are scheduled to reopen on February 20.

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 — The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) located in Awantipora has officially declared the observance of winter vacations commencing from January 1, 2024, and continuing through to February 11, 2024, university officials confirmed on Wednesday.

As per a notification released by the university administration, the winter break will span from the start of the new year until the specified date in February. However, it was highlighted that ongoing examinations and other academic or administrative activities will continue as scheduled during this vacation period.

The announcement of the winter break aims to provide students, faculty, and staff with an opportune period for rest and rejuvenation amidst the academic calendar. Despite the designated vacation period, the university ensures the continuation of essential academic functions and assessments.

The varsity's decision aligns with the traditional observance of winter breaks in educational institutions, allowing the university community to recharge before resuming academic activities.

SRINAGAR — Kashmir University has formally declared a winter break for both its main campus and satellite campuses, slated to commence from January 1, 2024, extending until February 25, 2024.

In an official notification, the university authorities specified, "The Teaching Departments of the University and its Satellite Campuses shall observe winter vacations from 1st January, 2024 to 25th February, 2024."

The directive clarified that Departmental Offices would maintain regular functioning during this period. Heads and Directors of the Departments and Campuses are directed to ensure the completion of examinations and other planned activities according to the pre-set schedule.

To manage any pending curriculum, the notification outlined provisions for "remedial classes (offline or online mode)" during the winter break.

"The Head of the Department's/Directors of the Campus should ensure resumption of class work and other academic activities immediately after the vacations," the notification emphasized.

The announcement aims to regulate the academic calendar and facilitate the completion of academic requirements during the stipulated break, ensuring a seamless transition back to regular academic functions thereafter.

SRINAGAR — The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has formally released the winter break schedule for colleges across different divisions in the region.

As per the official order, Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) situated in the Kashmir Division and the Winter Zone of Jammu Division are set to observe winter vacations starting from December 27, 2023, and continuing until February 14, 2024.

Simultaneously, GDCs located in the Jammu Division, falling under the Summer Zone, have been allocated a winter break period spanning from January 1, 2024, to January 10, 2024.

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 — The High Court of J&K and Ladakh on Monday ordered a 15-day winter vacation for district courts in Kashmir valley, some areas of Jammu division and Ladakh from January 1.

“It is notified for the information of all concerned that the District Courts in Kashmir province and the Courts located in District Kishtwar; District Doda; and Courts at Batote, Gool, Banihal, and Ukhral in District Ramban and Bani in District Kathua of Jammu Division in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir as well as all Courts located in the Union Territory of Ladakh shall observe 15 days winter vacations with effect from 01-01-2024 to 15-01-2024 (both days inclusive),” Registrar General Shahzad Azeem said in an order, as per the news agency GNS.

It further said, “The Principal District and Sessions Judges and Chief Judicial Magistrates of the concerned Districts shall make the suitable arrangements for disposal of urgent criminal business arising during the period of such vacations in the areas within their respective jurisdictions.”

SRINAGAR — Directorate of School Education Kashmir has announced winter vacations in a phase-wise manner for educational institutions in Kashmir Valley.

For classes up to 8th standard, the vacations will be observed from November 28, 2023 to February 29, 2024 and subsequently, for classes 8th to 12th standard, the vacations will be observed from December 11, 2023 to February 29, 2024.

“The teaching staff shall report back to their respective schools on February 21, 2024, so that they remain available for making arrangements regarding preparation of ensuing examinations,” reads the order.

SRINAGAR — Following 50 days of winter vacations, colleges in winter zones in Jammu and Kashmir resumed academics on Wednesday.

In December 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department announced winter vacations for all government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the news agency KNO, the Higher Education Department in an order had said that the degree colleges falling in Kashmir and the winter zones of the Jammu division will observe winter vacation from December 27 to February 14, 2023.

It had also said that the degree colleges falling in the summer zone of the Jammu division shall observe the vacation from January 1 to January 10, 2023.

SRINAGAR — The Higher Education Department (HED) on Thursday announced winter vacation for all Government Degree Colleges across J&K from December 27.

A notification issued by Principal Secretary, HED, Alok Kumar states that it is hereby ordered that all Government Degree Colleges of the Union Territory of J&K shall observe winter vacation as per the given schedule.

As per the schedule, all Government Degree Colleges of Kashmir division and Jammu division falling under the Winter Zone shall observe winter vacation from December 27 to February 14.

It also states that the all Government Degree Colleges of Jammu division falling under the Summer Zone shall observe winter vacation from January 1 to January 10.

SRINAGAR — High Court of J&K and Ladakh on Wednesday announced a 15-day winter vacation in Subordinate Courts in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir from January 2.

Order No. 2037, in this connection, states that all the Subordinate Courts in Kashmir Province and the Courts located in District Kishtwar, District Doda, and Courts located at Batote, Gool, Banihal and Ukhral in District Ramban and Bani in District Kathua of Jammu Division in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, as well as all Courts located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, shall observe 15-days winter vacations with effect from 02-01-2023 to 16-01-2023 (both days inclusive).

Meanwhile, the Principal District and Sessions Judges and Chief Judicial Magistrates of the concerned districts shall make suitable arrangements for the disposal of urgent criminal business arising during the period of such vacations in the areas within their respective jurisdictions.