Srinagar: In an unprecedented move to save the academic careers of thousands of pupils in the valley, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to cancel winter vacations for higher and secondary classes.

"The government has decided to keep all high and higher secondary schools open during the winter months to compensate the academic loss suffered by the students," a senior official of the school education department said here.

Schools across the valley could not hold classes from June 11 till early October because of the unrest that saw 110 people being killed in clashes with security forces. Authorities reopened educational institutions in the beginning of October despite shutdowns and protests called by the separatists.

All schools in the valley remain closed for two-and-a-half months from the last week of December to the first week of March because of the harsh winter.

Around 250,000 pupils of grades nine, 10, 11 and 12 will have to attend schools during the ensuing winter when temperatures fall much below freezing point.

A nine million rupees (Dh723,768) proposal to heat the classrooms has already been sent to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his approval. "For students who take their 10th and 12th class examinations before the end of this month, the schools would act as coaching centres to facilitate completion of syllabi for the higher classes," said a school education department official.

"We have to find unique solutions to the unique problems here. It is otherwise unbelievable for anybody to accept that schools and colleges could remain closed for nearly four months anywhere in the world. But, as this has happened in the valley, we have to take unique steps to protect the careers of our children," he added.

Extra income

Officials added that the government had decided to treat the winter months as earned leave for teachers who attend their duties during the winter recess as an incentive. This would mean that the teachers would be able to draw their usual 12-month salary and also earn extra money during the upcoming winter when they would be on duty.

"Never before in the history of the state since 1947 have schools remained opened in the valley during winter although vacations would either be extended or curtailed after February depending upon the severity of the cold here," said Gulam Nabi, a retired headmaster here.