Schools reopen across Kashmir for classes 9-12 after winter break
Classrooms across the Kashmir Valley buzzed with activity on Monday as schools reopened for students of Classes 9 to 12, marking the end of the winter vacation period that had kept students home for weeks amid the region’s harsh cold season.
The reopening, carried out in a phased manner as per Government Order No. 665-JK (Edu) of 2025 dated November 25, 2025, saw students and teachers return to school premises under clear guidelines on timings and conduct.
“I was actually excited to come back,” said Aadil Mir, a Class 9th student at a government school in Srinagar. “The vacation was long, and honestly, I missed my friends and my teachers. I feel like I have a lot to catch up on, but it feels good to be back.”
Not all students shared the same enthusiasm.
“Two months at home felt like forever, and coming back in the cold is not easy,” admitted Rumaisa Bhat, a Class 10 student from Budgam. “But I know the exams are not far, so there is no choice but to focus now.”
School authorities have been directed to create a welcoming environment and shift focus toward activity-based and experiential learning in the initial days to ease students back into academic life. Officials underlined the importance of preparedness, particularly in remote areas of the Valley where winter conditions routinely disrupt schooling and attendance.
“We want students to feel at ease when they walk through the door,” said a senior school administrator in Srinagar. “The first priority is not to overwhelm them. We are starting with interactive sessions before moving into the full academic schedule.”
Teaching staff had been asked to report from February 20 to complete necessary administrative and academic arrangements ahead of the reopening, giving schools a brief window to organise classrooms, attendance systems, and lesson plans.
Students from pre-primary to Class 8 will resume classes from March 2, 2026, after their winter break concludes on February 28, with an additional day’s buffer before full school activity resumes across all levels.