Different social media platforms are abuzz with debates, discussions and heated arguments over the extension of summer vacations in the valley. Many so-called intellectuals and well-wishers of this nation are issuing sermons and decrees without assessing the situations realistically. They are either biased or want to win public admiration for mere shares, likes and subscription of their YouTube channels and Facebook pages. Though social media platforms have substantially begun to shape our decision making abilities but I believe that people at the helm are mature enough to take decisions based on logic and reasoning. Let these influencers stay away from the sensitive matters, because the pungent smell of prejudice and ill-will is evident in their opinions.
Different parent associations are demanding extension in the summer vacations, because the soaring temperature in the valley have broken centuries old records of scalding and sweltering heat. Parents are worried and apprehensive about the well-being of their wards in the schools given the poor infrastructure, there. We don’t have weather combatant classrooms in our schools to beat the heat. Authorities are in dilemma, because mixed opinions are pouring in from different quarters. Some are justifying the extension while as others are rejecting it vehemently.
Many netizens are seen taunting teachers as if the teachers are shirkers and sluggards to attend their duties. I believe that our state is the only region of the world where different decisions regarding our education are terribly influenced by social media. Every Tom, Dick and Harry delivers sermons without having any knowledge about the infrastructure available in our schools. Let common people know that our teachers are dedicated and honest enough to work in any weather and climate.
We have schools in the areas where temperature dips down to -40 degree Celsius; we have teachers working in the schools at exceedingly high altitudes. Let me tell these propagandists and so-called intellectuals that vacations in schools are meant for children, not for teachers. The prolonged vacations deprive us from certain service benefits. The infrastructure and facilities available in our schools is not at par with rest of the world. Take example of Russia where schools are equipped with central heating system to combat harsh the weather. Swimming pools, coolers and fans are available in the schools of developed nations.
Take another example, look at our tertiary care hospitals. They work 24X7, because these hospitals are all-weather Institutions. The workforce therein have basic facilities available to combat extreme weather events. It would have been terribly difficult for the workforce to give their 100% if the infra would have been deficient and inadequate. Now, look at our schools. We all know the conditions of our school buildings. Many of the buildings are either without windows and doors or without window panes. Even some of the schools are without ceilings and roofs. Many schools operate from tin sheds and tents. The furnishing available there is not comfortable. Though most of the schools have been electrified lately, but fans and cooling gadgets are not in place.
The vacations become inevitable in such circumstances, because you can’t see the children falling prey to extreme and harsh weather conditions. Show me a single household where fans are not working 24*7 during this sizzling weather. Affluent and economically well-off families have air-conditioned rooms to relieve and relax during the scorching heat. When you can’t switch off your fan for a moment, then how can you expect a teacher to work in a room without any such provision? Let’s leave teachers aside, how can young children bear such drastic climatic conditions? We don’t want air-conditioners to be installed in our classrooms, but at least, have fans in our schools, and I assure you that no one will ask for a single day of summer vacations though children need a break from their routine work to relax their minds and bodies because vacations are a source of pleasure derivation which is important and essential for the overall development of a child.
Now, we don’t lose working days to strikes, encounters, crackdowns and dharnas and the number of working days in our schools have improved significantly. Prolonged winter vacations definitely prove detrimental for our academic standards, but the infra again cripples us. We can reduce it from three months to two or even one and a half by installing heating gadgets in schools. We need to devise something out of box: if we are serious enough to improve our poor educational scenario in the state. Then we must prioritise it and invest abundantly in it. Though we can’t avoid weather vagaries, but we can certainly save our education from its impact. Yes, by curtailing the prolonged winter break, we can achieve the desired results. It is extremely difficult to do so, but not impossible. We had winter tutorials in our schools prior to global surge in COVID 19 epidemics. These tutorials were different from routine schooling given their duration and modus operandi, but academic instructions were imparted to one and all there. And this initiative won a lot of public admiration. I don’t want the absolute cancellation of winter vacations, because vacations are very important to overcome and reduce the academic burden and boredom, but, at least, minimize it to a solitary month of January which is probably the coldest month of the year.
We can’t keep pace with the rest of the world if we continue with the archaic and obsolete methods. Competition levels have risen by manifolds. Unorthodox steps are the need of the hour. Let’s say good bye to prolonged vacations which eat up the most of our precious academic calendar, but, it needs absolute infra upgradation in our schools. We can increase number of instructional days in our schools if the necessary steps are taken. There is no silver bullet in the hands of teachers. They can help you to achieve the set targets and goals if we have such conducive atmosphere in our schools to work in. NCR Delhi is a glaring example where government Schools have gone through exemplary changes.
The writer is a Teacher. mushtaqhurra143@gmail.com
