| Schools to remain closed till Aug 31 Classrooms, campuses inundated | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 28: A catastrophic wave of relentless rainfall has plunged the Jammu division into chaos, forcing the Directorate of School Education Jammu to shut schools till August 30.
In an order issued today, all government and private schools across the region will remain closed until August 30, 2025, due to treacherous weather conditions that threaten the lives of students, teachers, and staff. August 31 is a Sunday, so all schools will remain closed by the end of this month.
The region is on high alert, with parents gripped by fear and communities reeling from the devastating impact of nature’s wrath.
The deluge has unleashed a cascade of disasters across Jammu’s diverse terrain.
Reports pouring in from districts paint a grim picture: school premises are swamped with water and caked in mud, rendering classrooms and playgrounds unusable. Low-lying areas are submerged under floodwaters, severing access to educational institutions.
In the rugged hills and mountains, the threat of landslides, mudslides, and tumbling rocks—known locally as “shooting stones”—looms large, posing a deadly risk to anyone venturing near schools.
Roads, battered and eroded by the torrential rains, have become death traps, with blockages and washouts making travel near impossible.
The crisis has sparked an outcry from civil society, with parents, community leaders, and stakeholders flooding the administration with urgent pleas to keep schools closed.
“We can’t risk our children’s lives,” said one distraught parent from a flood-hit area in R S Pura, echoing the sentiments of thousands.
Responding to the mounting pressure, Dr. Naseem Javaid Chowdhary (JKAS), Director of School Education Jammu, issued a sweeping directive prioritizing safety above all else. “The well-being of our students, teachers, and school staff is our highest priority,” the order declared, halting all in-person classes across the division.
In a bid to salvage education amidst the turmoil, school heads have been instructed to explore online classes for students in grades 9 to 12, but the region’s patchy internet connectivity and limited infrastructure pose significant hurdles.
The Directorate’s order lays out a rigorous roadmap for schools to prepare for reopening. Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and Heads of Institutions (HoIs) are under strict orders to comply with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined in a prior circular (DSEJ/Genl/43727-51, dated August 20, 2025).
These include thorough cleaning and sanitation of school premises, structural safety inspections to ensure buildings are sound, and consultations with local authorities to assess road and environmental conditions.
“No school will reopen until we’re certain it’s safe,” emphasized a senior official, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The crisis has also sparked a broader call to action. The Directorate has urged parents and students to stay vigilant, monitoring official school communication channels for updates on when classes might resume.
As Jammu braces for more rain, the situation remains precarious. Weather forecasts warn of continued downpours, raising fears of further flooding and landslides. The Directorate has promised to keep a close watch on evolving conditions, with further directives to be issued as needed. For now, the region holds its collective breath, grappling with a natural disaster that has upended daily life and put the safety of its youngest residents at the forefront. |
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