SRINAGAR: Responding to the challenges posed by the early winter conditions, the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department has issued an order for the commencement of online classes in all government degree colleges across the Kashmir region starting from December 1, 2023.
According to an official statement, Dr Ravi Shanker Sharma, Special Secretary to the government, stated, “Due to the early onset of winter, students enrolled in Government Degree Colleges of Kashmir Division are facing a major challenge in commuting to college and, thereby, attending classes.”
He further explained, “The situation has been compounded due to the disruption of normal class work and inadequate heating arrangements.”
The official communique emphasized that, with the admission process based on merit and choice, students are compelled to travel long distances or reside in hostels or private accommodations, causing severe hardship due to the harsh winter conditions.
“To ensure uninterrupted academic delivery in adverse and extremely cold conditions, all Principals of Government Degree Colleges in Kashmir Division are instructed to conduct classes online from December 1, 2023, until December 31, 2023, or until winter vacations are announced, whichever comes earlier,” the statement clarified.
Furthermore, the directive urged college principals to ensure that faculty members attend their respective colleges regularly and conduct online classes to adhere to the academic calendar and complete the syllabus.
The official announcement also affirmed that all internal examinations and semester-end examinations will proceed according to the notified schedule of universities or institutions.
