Srinagar: The government is offering the best possible facilities to help students beat the heat-wave effects, but closing schools once again may not be the solution to deal with the current weather conditions, Principal Secretary of School Education Department, Alok Kumar said on Saturday.
The assertions came in response to the growing calls from students and their parents for schools to declare summer vacations in view of the ongoing heat wave, which has gripped the valley for over two months.
“The solution to the heat wave that we all are currently experiencing, in my opinion, is not to close schools once again. While the current weather persists, we are unable to continue extending vacations. How long do we keep schools closed, because we also have to declare a winter break as well,” Kumar told the media on the sidelines of a function at the office of the Director School Education, Kashmir.
The government, he claimed, has already altered school timings and extended vacations, “so closing schools again does not make any sense. The academic functions ought to function smoothly in schools during their operational period”
The principal secretary, however, said there would be no negative impact on student’s attendances if they choose not to attend schools for a few days under the present circumstances.
“We won’t be strict with students who choose not to attend schools for a few days owing to heat-wave related issues,” he said, adding, among other amenities, we have provided drinking water facilities and shades at schools. While we may not be able to install air conditioning, we will work to ensure that such facilities are accessible in the future.
