Srinagar, Mar 09: All government and private schools in the Kashmir Valley reopened on Monday after the annual winter vacation, bringing students back to classrooms following a break of more than three months even as the reopening was delayed by over a week from the scheduled date due to protests in parts of the valley following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Isreal strike.
Educational institutions across the Valley had remained closed since December as part of the winter vacation schedule announced by the School Education Department. With a gradual improvement in weather conditions and the overall situation in Kashmir, schools resumed academic activities on Monday following directives issued by Education Minister Sakina Itoo a day earlier.
“After taking stock of the situation, we have decided to reopen schools, colleges and universities in all districts of Kashmir from Monday,” she had said on Sunday.
The reopening also coincided with the end of the winter break for several school classes. Students up to Class 8 returned to schools on Monday after a vacation lasting over two months. Classes 9 to 12 had already resumed in the Kashmir division and winter zones of the Jammu division on February 23 .
The government had earlier announced that the winter break for Classes 9 to 12 would run from December 11, 2025, to February 22, 2026. As per the phased schedule declared by the School Education Department, pre-primary classes observed holidays from November 26, 2025, to February 28, 2026, while classes up to standard 8 remained closed from December 1 to February 28 .
A week earlier, the government had ordered the closure of schools and colleges across the Kashmir region to ensure the safety of students after protests erupted across Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel air strike on February 28 . Authorities had ordered the temporary closure of educational institutions last week as a precautionary measure following protests reported from some areas .
Parents and teachers expressed hope that the new academic session would proceed smoothly and without disruptions. The reopening of schools marks the beginning of regular academic activities in the region after the winter break, which typically lasts from December to early March in Kashmir.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, students shared their excitement and joy on their first day back at school after the winter vacation.
Aamir, a Class 10 student at a renowned private school in north Kashmir, said that Monday finally ended the long wait to rejoin school. “I was not only missing my friends but also my teachers and my school. It is my second home. I am so happy to be back with my friends. We played a lot and shared conversations after two months,” he said.
Sabeena, another student, expressed delight at the warm reception. “I am very happy with the warm welcome we received from our teachers. It has set a great start to the first day of the new academic session at school,” she said, adding, “It feels like life is back on track—the friends, the vibe, the crazy feelings. Life at home was boring. Now, back at school, reuniting with friends and teachers is a great feeling.”
Asif, a student from Govt. high school Bandipora, described his restless night before the reopening. “I didn’t sleep the whole night due to the excitement of meeting my school friends. At 8:30 a.m., I was waiting at the main gate of the campus to see my friends. The moment we met, we hugged with smiles,” he said, adding, “After reuniting with them, life feels easygoing now. The focus will be on consistency to perform well in this year’s exams and achieve a good percentage.”
The first day of school brought visible enthusiasm among students across other parts of the Valley, from Srinagar to Kupwara and Ganderbal.
A student from New Dream Land Educational Institute in Ganderbal shared their delight at returning to school. “We are happy to be back after the winter vacation. Meeting our friends and teachers again feels really good,” the student said.
Mohammad Anees, a Class 9 student from north Kashmir, expressed satisfaction at resuming classes. “It was good to be back to school after a long break. Very few students had come, but the weather was fine and teachers took classes from the very first day,” he said.
Shahid Ahmad, a Class 12 student from Srinagar, stated that the long vacation had become monotonous. “The winters had become sort of boring with high temps and very little snowfall. It felt better to be in school and meet friends,” he said.
At AIIMS Secondary School Handwara in Kupwara district, students were warmly welcomed by school authorities and teachers. Several students expressed that they had missed interacting with their teachers, playing with friends, and participating in school activities during the long winter holidays.
School administrations across the Valley ensured a warm welcome for returning students. Teachers and staff members greeted children at school gates and ensured that academic activities restarted smoothly.
Parents across Kashmir also welcomed the reopening of schools with relief and satisfaction. Many expressed confidence that their children’s education would proceed without further interruptions.
“Our children deserve uninterrupted schooling and a peaceful environment to grow,” said a parent in Srinagar.
The return to normal school schedules, parents stated, helps children regain focus on studies and maintain a balanced daily routine. Schools provide not only education but also opportunities for social interaction and personality development among children.
Meanwhile, in a relief to medical aspirants, the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Sunday extended the last date for submission of the online Application Form for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET (UG) 2026 up to March 11 .
A public notice issued by NTA in this regard read, “The last date for submission of Online Application Form for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test [NEET (UG)] 2026 has been extended up to March 11, 2026 (9 pm). The payment of fees can be made up to 11:50 pm on March 11, 2026.” The notice further read that candidates are advised to complete the filling up of form within the extended date and time and no further extension would be granted .
Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo had written to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan on March 6, 2026, and requested extension of the NEET-UG 2026 application deadline in view of recent internet restrictions in Kashmir to maintain law and order as well as safety of citizens .
In her letter, the minister said many students in Jammu and Kashmir were facing difficulties while applying for the national level medical entrance examination due to limited internet speed in several areas of the Kashmir division . The letter stated that the administration had allowed only low speed internet services in certain areas to maintain law and order, which created technical disruptions for students attempting to complete the online application process .
Several students had faced difficulties in submitting their application forms due to issues with OTP verification and submission . The minister said NEET UG is a crucial examination for students aspiring to pursue medical education and related courses, and any inability to submit applications due to connectivity problems could adversely affect their academic prospects .
Minister Sakeena extended her gratitude to Union Minister of Education for promptly considering this request and extending the NEET-UG 2026 application deadline by three days. “This decision will greatly help many students from Kashmir who faced difficulties in submitting their forms due to internet speed limitations. Grateful for the timely support to ensure that no aspirant misses the opportunity,” she said .
Minister Sakeena has now advised the candidates to avoid last-minute submissions and complete the application process well before the deadline to prevent any technical difficulties. “All aspiring candidates who have not yet completed their application process are advised to take advantage of this extended deadline and ensure that their application forms are submitted within the stipulated time,” she said .
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