Examiner Bureau | Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the Kashmir Valley till March 7 as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing situation.
The decision follows widespread protests across the Valley over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a reported joint US-Israeli strike.
Speaking exclusively to a local news agency, Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the move was taken to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
“We have decided to keep schools, colleges and universities closed till March 7,” Itoo said, adding that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will take a call on reopening only after assessing the ground conditions.
The announcement comes at a time when schools up to Class 8 were scheduled to reopen on Monday after a winter break of over two months. Earlier, classes for students from 9th to 12th standard had resumed on February 23 in the Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division following a 70-day vacation.
The School Education Department (SED) had earlier implemented a phased winter break schedule. Pre-primary (Balvatika) classes were on vacation from November 26 to February 28, while classes up to 8th standard observed holidays from December 1 to February 28. For Classes 9 to 12, winter vacations were in effect from December 11, 2025, to February 22, 2026.
Teaching staff had been directed to remain available for academic activities during the vacation period and were instructed to report back to their respective institutions on February 20 to prepare for reopening.
Meanwhile, colleges in the Valley had resumed academic activities on February 16 after a 52-day winter break. The Higher Education Department had earlier notified winter vacations for degree colleges in the Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu from December 24, 2025, to February 14, 2026.
With fresh closures now announced, uncertainty looms over the academic calendar once again. Authorities have assured that further decisions will be taken keeping student safety and the overall situation in mind.
