The newly formed Jammu and Kashmir government has indicated that it will roll back the ‘uniform academic policy’ of the Lt Governor-led administration from next year and bring it back to the old academic session in the educational institutions in Kashmir valley where exams will be held in October. -November instead of the current March session.

The decision appears to have been influenced by demands from parents, civil society and academics in the Kashmir valley who say that the November session is suitable for Kashmiri students due to the weather which then allows them to spend 3 months winter holidays until February with the start of the year. new academic session.

The Lieutenant Governor-led Jammu and Kashmir administration in 2022 had issued orders for implementation of a “uniform academic calendar” for the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir “in synchronization with the Department of higher education and the rest of the country.

Earlier this week, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo told media that she would seek public opinion on the modified session, but later said the administration’s move to the academic session of March in the Kashmir valley had not been well received by the population.

“Given the public demand, I do not believe it is necessary to make the matter public to obtain their comments. I have already received request from many people to reinstate the November session in schools,” she said.

Given the public demand and the government’s assertion, many political leaders, including those in the opposition, have also expressed their willingness to change the session in November.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed support for the reinstatement of the November school session, hailing it as a necessary reversal of what it called a “blatantly retrograde decision.”

Former Education Minister and PDP leader Naeem Akhtar has criticized the March uniform academic session for causing major academic losses. He pointed out that the October-November session was implemented decades ago, keeping in mind the unique climatic and topographical challenges of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We welcome the government’s decision and hope that it marks the first step towards meaningful educational reforms,” Akhtar said.

People’s Conference President Sajad Lone also expressed support for the reinstatement of academic sessions for examinations in November. “Besides the weather variables, this gives our students a head start academically. Most admissions take place from June onwards. Our students would benefit from an additional six months to prepare for entrance and admission exams. Climatically, the academic session in Kashmir is ideal for end-of-year exams. And academically, it gives our students a vital advantage. I don’t understand why they changed it,” he said.

Experts also said that the March session resulted in loss of working days for students in the Kashmir Valley.

“The November session is better for the Kashmir zone as we have more working days. If we look at a uniform academic calendar with the March session, then our students (in Kashmir) stand to lose,” said Farooq Ahmad Peer, former academic director and secretary of the J&K education board.

“I also observed that the March session caused stress among the students of the valley…In the November session, the students of the valley would also get enough time to prepare for the competitive exams,” he said. he declared.