Winter Vacations Announced for Jammu and Kashmir Degree Colleges

Winter Vacations Announced for Jammu and Kashmir Degree Colleges

Srinagar,December 21: In a strategic move, the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department has declared winter vacations for all degree colleges across the Jammu and Kashmir Division.

The vacation period is set to unfold in a phased manner, commencing from December 27, 2023, and concluding on February 14, 2024, exclusively for the colleges situated in the Kashmir region.

According to the statement released by Principal Secretary Alok Kumar, government degree colleges in the Kashmir division will observe the winter break during the specified dates. Simultaneously, all Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) in the Jammu division, falling under the Winter Zone, will also align their winter vacations with those of Kashmir, starting from December 27, 2023.

However, GDCs in the Jammu division falling under the Summer Zone will slightly adjust their winter break, scheduling it from January 1 to January 10, 2024.

This decision follows the earlier directive issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department on November 30, mandating online classes for all government degree colleges in the Kashmir region from December 1, 2023.

The announcement cited the early onset of winter, making it challenging for students to commute and attend physical classes due to disrupted normal class work and insufficient heating arrangements.

Dr. Ravi Shanker Sharma, Special Secretary to the government, emphasized the difficulties faced by students enrolled in Government Degree Colleges of Kashmir Division, urging a swift transition to online classes. The directive highlighted the adverse and extreme cold conditions, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted academic delivery during this period.

In light of these challenges, the department aims to ensure a seamless educational experience for students, acknowledging the hardships posed by the early arrival of harsh winter conditions.

The decision to conduct classes online aims to mitigate the challenges faced by students in commuting and attending physical classes during this climatic adversity.

This move is seen as a proactive measure by the government to prioritize the academic well-being of students and maintain the continuity of education in the face of challenging weather conditions.

The phased approach to winter vacations is expected to optimize the academic calendar, ensuring a balance between the well-being of students and the pursuit of education.