Mahmood Muzafar
As the unforgiving sun casts its searing gaze upon the verdant valleys of Jammu and Kashmir, it is not only the land that burns but the very dreams of thousands of students who are once again being forced into prolonged silence, their classrooms empty, their books closed, and their futures paused.
In the face of an unrelenting heatwave, it would be easy convenient, even to simply declare an extension of the summer vacation.
But convenience has never built nations, nor has complacency ever shaped a generation worth remembering.
This is not merely a climatic challenge it is a moral one. And the time to respond with urgency, compassion, and innovation is not tomorrow, but today.
Extending vacations yet again would be a betrayal of our responsibilities, and a dangerous message to send to the children whose eyes are fixed on us for direction.
We must choose action over inertia. We must act smart, not sleep through a crisis.
A simple, elegant, and effective solution already lies before us: transition to early morning schooling from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
This is not an experimental idea but a proven practice across regions of extreme climates around the globe. From the deserts of the Middle East to the sunlit plains of Australia, from bustling cities in Southeast Asia to rural belts in Latin America, early schooling schedules have helped millions learn without heat becoming an obstacle.
Why should our children be left behind when the world has already found a way forward?
Morning schooling is not just a schedule adjustment it is a cultural reorientation.
It promotes alertness, discipline, and better cognitive engagement. It helps us use the cooler hours of the day for the most critical part of a child s development: learning. But for such a vision to materialize, it requires more than just announcements it demands commitment from every individual in the education system.
And yet, what have we seen instead? At a time when decisive action is required, many of our educational planners and administrators are seen retreating into comfort celebrating vacations in health resorts and cooler climates, while the very system they are meant to serve lies gasping under the weight of neglect.
There should have been sleepless nights, not silent corridors. There should have been emergency meetings, brainstorming sessions, urgent circulars not leisurely picnics in the hills.
The future of an entire generation hangs in the balance, and it demands that all stakeholders in the Education Department rise above personal ease and act as custodians of a sacred duty.
We must also begin to treat education as the priority it truly is. Schools cannot remain at the mercy of weather patterns.
They must be strengthened with modern infrastructure: solar-powered classrooms, inverter backup for uninterrupted power, energy-efficient cooling and heating systems, insulated buildings, and access to emergency digital platforms. Even a short power cut can destroy an entire day s worth of learning; we must no longer accept such disruptions as normal.
Moreover, we must awaken the vast potential of collaborative digital education.
By identifying expert educators and synchronizing schools within clusters under a common timetable, we can implement joint online classes where physical attendance is hindered.
Many countries, including Finland and Japan, have excelled in such hybrid models. With today s technology, why should any student in Jammu and Kashmir be denied access to learning?
To those teachers who argue that early morning attendance may be difficult, let it be reminded that House Rent Allowance (HRA) exists precisely to ensure proximity of residence to the place of posting.
It is not a benefit for luxury but a responsibility for availability. When education is in distress, every hand must be on deck not withdrawn in convenience.
Amidst all this, the voice of PSAJK President G.N. Var rings true and timely. In a dignified yet urgent appeal, he has requested the J&K Government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo to resist the temptation of extending vacations and instead implement early morning classes.
He rightly notes that after losing precious months to winter closures, our students cannot afford another academic blow. Every teaching day matters, he insists and he is absolutely right.
We cannot let our children bear the cost of our institutional lethargy. The road ahead is clear we need policy imagination, infrastructural investment, cultural discipline, and most of all, a shared moral urgency. Let us not react after the damage is done.
Let us act before we are remembered as the generation that had time to intervene but chose instead to sleep.
Let this heatwave be not the reason for another setback, but the spark that ignites a long-overdue reform. The classrooms are waiting, the children are watching, and history will remember what we did or failed to do when the future stood in need of us.
The author is teacher by profession, posted in zone Kulgam. He can be reached at mahmoodmuzafar@gmail.com
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. âHundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,â said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the facultyâs demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. âWe are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,â he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. âThe irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,â he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for âequal work, equal payâ gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. âPromises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,â he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. âThis issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,â he said.
Srinagar, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) will declare the result of class 10th and 12th examination on January 14 of, 2026 (Wednesday), minister for education Sakina Itoo said on Monday. Minister for education Sakina Itoo said the government has decided to declare the result of both the classes-10th and 12th on the same day. "We understand that students have been waiting for the results. So we decided that result of both the classes will be declared on Wednesday (January 16 of 2926)," Sakina Itoo said. She said the meeting of the Result Declaration Committee (RDC) will be convened by the Secretary JKBOE along with the members-Director School Education (DSE) Kashmir and Jammu division besides the joint secretaries as well. "We will give the administrative approval to the result instead of getting approved by the chairman," she said. The announcement comes amid the delay in appointment of chairman JKBOSE as the position is lying vacant for the last one year. "After declaration of the results, we will also appoint the permanent chairman for JKBOSE as well," education minister said. An official from JKBOSE said the class 1oth result will be declared on Wednesday morning followed by the declaration of result of class 12th students in late afternoon on the same day. As per the official figures, 94783 students- 68804 from Kashmir and 25,224 students from winter zone areas of Jammu division besides 660 students from Kargil and 95 from Leh district registered for the class 10th JKBOSE examination this year. Also, the examination for class 11th and 12th students was scheduled from November 19 and November 8 of 2025 respectively. Approximately, 81622 students â 64001 from Jammu and 17621 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 11th examination while 70117 studentsâ56423 from Kashmir and 13694 from winter zone areas of Jammu have registered for class 12th examination.
Suhail Khan Baramulla, Jan 6: A young aerospace engineer from Sopore in north Kashmirâs Baramulla district is proving that dedication and ambition can propel one to global heights. Munaf-ul-Raquib who holds a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, has gained international recognition for his research on black holes and cosmology. Munaf-ul-Raquib revealed that his paper on the thermodynamics of black holes was recently published in the International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). âAbout a year ago, I conducted research on the gravity of black holes and cosmology, which has now been published in IJSR,â he said. He said that since his research was published in the international journal, he has been receiving opportunities from various countries to participate in research dialogues. Raquib added that in the coming months he is scheduled to participate in international conferences in Paris on April 16 and later in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Sopore aerospace engineer noted that he is also participating in various conferences across different countries. Speaking about his research, Munaf-ul-Raquib addressed a fundamental paradox in astrophysics: how black holes can appear to violate thermodynamic laws, particularly concerning entropy.âIf we observe a black hole, it seems to contradict thermodynamic principles,â he said. Using the frameworks of Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and Conformal Field Theory (CFT), Raqeebâs research proposes a theoretical model that reconciles black hole mechanics with thermodynamics. âIn this paper, I have explained how a black hole can function without violating thermodynamic laws,â he said. He described the achievement as both personal and symbolic. âIt is a proud moment for me to represent my state, especially Sopore, on an international platform,â he said. Raqeeb shared that Astrophysics was his childhood dream, and his grandfather encouraged me immensely. "After my grandfather passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, my parents continued to champion my aspirations. My parents left no stone unturned in helping me pursue my dreams,â he said. He said that his academic path included taking the JEE and later the AME CET entrance exams, through which he secured a seat in aerospace engineering at the Nasik Research Centre. âMy parents not only supported me morally but also created an environment where I could pursue my dreams freely,â he said. He emphasized the role of family in nurturing talent. âJust as my parents supported me, it is the responsibility of all parents to help their children follow their dreams.â âYoung people should avoid wrong practices. They must dream of a beautiful tomorrow but work hard today to make their parents proud,â he further added.
Calls for strong academic ecosystem Srinagar, March 6: President of the Private Schools Association Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK), Dr. Baba Nazrul Islam Friday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the 17 candidates from J&K and Ladakh who successfully cleared the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination. He termed the achievement as a moment of immense pride for the region and a powerful inspiration for the youth. He said that success of these candidates reflect the immense talent, determination, and intellectual potential present among the students of the region. Nazrul Islam Baba emphasised that educational institutions must work collectively to create a robust academic ecosystem that encourages students to aspire for and excel in national-level competitive examinations like the IAS. He stressed that schools should nurture curiosity, discipline, analytical thinking, and leadership qualities from the early stages of education. âSuch remarkable achievements demonstrate that our youth possess the capability to compete at the highest national platforms," he said. He said a supportive academic environment, mentorship, and access to quality resources need to be kept available so that more students from J&K and Ladakh can prepare for and succeed in prestigious examinations. PSAJK President further highlighted the need to develop benchmark institutions and academic support systems in the region that can guide and mentor students aspiring for civil services and other competitive examinations. "Creating a culture of excellence and competition within educational institutions will help channelize the talent of the youth towards nation-building roles," he said. He urged educators, parents, and policymakers to work in synergy to foster an environment where students feel motivated to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society. âEvery success story from our region becomes a beacon of hope for thousands of young minds. These achievers have shown that with perseverance, dedication, and proper guidance, no dream is beyond reach. Their journey should inspire our students to believe in their abilities and strive for excellence,â he added. PSAJK expressed hope that this achievement will ignite a new wave of aspiration among students across schools in J&K and Ladakh, motivating them to prepare for the countryâs most competitive examinations and play a vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
'Results likely to get delayed in absence of Chairman' Jammu, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Wednesday said the result of the class 10th examinations will be declared soon after the appointment of the Chairman of the Board. The statement comes amid the uncertainty about the declaration of the results by JKBOSE. In an official handout issued here, JKBOSE has advised students not to pay heed to fake links and websites announcing declaration of class 10 results. "Result of class 10th will be declared within few days soon after the appointment of new Chairman," the statement reads. The JKBOSE has stated that the results of annual examination of class 10 of Kashmir valley and winter zone areas of Jammu Division are almost ready. "But its approval by Result Declaration Committee headed by BOSE Chairman is a pre- requisite before its declaration. In absence of the Chairman the results are likely to get a little delayed," it reads. The JKBOSE officials have advised the students to wait for the formal declaration on the official website of the Board- www.jkbose.nic.in. "Students should not get misled by scamesters and fake narratives circulated by some mischievous elements, whose sole aim is to create confusion in the innocent student community," the statement reads.
Conducts surprise visit of Srinagar schools, says morning assemblies must integrate moral education Srinagar, Apr 3: The Director of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) Naseer Ahmad Wani Friday directed all the Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) of across Kashmir to visit schools in their jurisdiction for morning inspections. The ZEOs were asked to submit weekly reports to the directorate as well. He issued these instructions to the heads of the schools during his surprise visit to some of the schools of Srinagar district during first half hour of opening of the educational institutions. He further asked the school heads to incorporate moral and value based education in morning assemblies besides focusing on ensuring punctuality, discipline, and institutional accountability. DSEK also monitored the attendance of teaching staff and assessed the overall functioning of schools as well. During his visit to Government Middle School (GMS) Aloochi Bagh, DSEK personally verified staff attendance and also joined the students in the morning prayer. During his interaction with the staff, Wani said the initial moments of school opening set the tone for the entire day and must reflect discipline, commitment and a sense of purpose. "Morning assemblies should be conducted with full enthusiasm while incorporating moral and value-based education as an essential component," he said. He also highlighted the importance of structured academic functioning and emphasised that all teaching-learning activities should be carried out in an organized manner and strictly in accordance with the academic calendar prescribed by the department. DSEK said the department was committed to strengthening accountability, improving academic standards and fostering a disciplined and value-driven educational environment in all schools across Kashmir.
Srinagar, Apr 2: The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) on Thursday extended gratitude and hailed the minister for education for introducing bill in Assembly for the establishment and incorporation of private universities in Jammu and Kashmir. President PSAJK Dr Nazrul Baba welcomed the move and said the long pending demand of private sector has been fulfilled. "We congratulate the education minister for this decision. It will be a historic move in establishing knowledge parks and knowledge hubs across J&K," president PSAJK said. Earlier, Minister for education, Sakeena Itoo introduced a Bill in the Legislative Assembly for the establishment and incorporation of private universities in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bill, titled âA Bill for the Establishment and Incorporation of Private Universities in Jammu and Kashmir and for Ensuring Academic Standards to Safeguard Quality Education and Protect the Interests of Studentsâ (L.A. Bill No. 08 of 2026), has already been published in an extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette.
Srinagar, March 31: The Jammu and Kashmir government has attributed the variation in the Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) of government schools to the demographic changes and population migrations. The government has however said that the School Education Department (SED) periodically reviews such situations and appropriate measures including rationalisation of staff and resources is being done to maintain a balanced student-teacher ratio in schools. The revelation came to fore in a written reply of minister in-charge for education to a question raised by MLA Uri Dr. Sajad Shafi in the Legislative Assembly. MLA Uri had asked the government if schools under erstwhile SSA schools were opened without proper rationalisation, resulting in the variation in the PTR, particularly in Uri constituency. The minister in a written reply said that the Primary and Middle Schools established under the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) were opened in accordance with the prescribed distance norms and guidelines with the objective of ensuring universal access to elementary education, particularly in remote and underserved areas. "However, variations in the student-teacher ratio arise from time to time due to demographic changes, migration of population, and fluctuations in student enrollment," the reply reads. "SED reviews such situations and appropriate measures, including rationalisation of staff and resources, are taken to maintain a balanced student-teacher ratio in schools," it reads. The government further informed the House that as per available records, schools in Baramulla district, including Uri Constituency, were presently functioning with an approximate student-teacher ratio of 1:17 at Primary level and 1:20 at Upper Primary level, "which is broadly within the prescribed norms." "The position is monitored from time to time and necessary adjustments are made, wherever required, in accordance with established guidelines," the reply reads. The government further said that the Cooks working in government schools have been engaged under PM POSHAN Scheme (Erstwhile Mid Day Meals Scheme) and were being paid a monthly honorarium of Rs.1000 for 10 months in a year, on a sharing pattern of 90:10 (CS:SS). "As per the scheme they are engaged for preparation of meals only and not for whole day. The engagement of cooks-cum-helpers is governed by the norms and guidelines of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education," the reply reads. The government said these cooks were paid a monthly honorarium of Rs 900 under grants provided by the Ministry. "Further, any enhancement in their honorarium falls within the prerogative of the Government of India," the reply reads. The government further said that AAYAs have been engaged under Early Childhood Care & Education to support Pre-Primary Children (3 to 6 years of age) in various schools across J&K, on the basis of approval conveyed by the Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy, GoI under the CSS Samagra Shiksha.
