Winter vacations for schools announced; winter tutorials, online classes to continue

Srinagar: Putting an end to the speculations, the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department on Friday announced winter vacations for all government and recognized private schools of Kashmir division and winter zone of Jammu region from December 21.

According to the government order, the vacations shall be observed from December 21, 2020, to February 28, 2021.

“All the government educational institutions including recognized private schools up to higher secondary level functioning in the Kashmir division and winter zone of Jammu division shall observer winter vacations w.e.f 21st of December, 2020, to 28th of February, 2021,” the order reads.

It also states that the winter tutorials for class 11th and 12th and online classes for all classes shall be held by strictly adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of COVID-19 issued by the government from time to time.

“Any default on part of the head of the school(s) in observance of the calendar and SOPs of COVID-19 shall attract strict action under rules,” the order warns.

Pertinently, fake orders and announcements of winter vacations in Kashmir valley were earlier circulated on social media which had created confusion among student and teacher community alike.

On Tuesday, the School Education Department refuted the reports, saying that it had not decided on the matter yet.

“DSEK is keeping an eye on the weather situation and as of now, it is not the right time to announce the vacations. In the coming weeks, we will announce the vacations by taking the higher authorities on board,” an official had said.