SRINAGAR: As the temperature continues to soar across the Kashmir region, parents have urged the education minister to extend the ongoing summer vacation.
Citing the health concerns amid the intense heatwave across the Kashmir valley, several parents believe reopening educational institutions at this time could put children at risk of many health ailments.
“The weather is even unbearable to elders, how can young children bear this intense heatwave. It can trigger heart related illnesses and other ailments ,” said Mir Mudasir, a father of two school going children. “We are not against the reopening of schools but the safety of our kids must come first in during these peak temperatures, if the government insists on reopening they can shift to online mode”, he further added.
Kashmir’s summer capital, Srinagar records the season’s hottest day on Saturday with the mercury soaring over to 37.4 degrees Celsius.
“We do not have proper ventilation in classrooms here, students won’t be able to study well, some respite should be given to them,” said, Afaq Ahmad, another concerned parent.
As the heatwave shows no signs of abating, pressure is mounting on administration to take swift action. Meanwhile, education minister, Sakina Itoo has said that the formal decision on reopening of schools will be taken after assessing weather conditions on Sunday.
However, Meteorological Department has predicted a Western disturbance on July 6 onwards that can trigger Moderate to Heavy rain showers.
