Schools across Kashmir re-open after winter vacations

Srinagar, Mar 9: All the elementary level government and recognised private schools reopened on Monday Friday after over three-month long winter vacations.

Also, the secondary level schools and degree colleges also resumed their routine class work after being closed for almost a week on March 1, 2026, due to the situation following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei amid West Asia tension.

The elementary level schools were also scheduled to reopen on March 2, but the reopening was delayed due to the prevailing situation last week.

Meanwhile, hustle and bustle was back on roads with the reopening of schools as school buses were seen ferrying students from their homes to the schools.

At various places, parents were seen accompanying their children, mostly kindergarten students.

The schools were closed for winter vacation in a phased manner as the physical class work of the kindergarten students closed from November 26, 2025, while November 29 , 2025, was the last working day in the elementary level schools across Kashmir.

The winter vacation for secondary and senior secondary classes were announced from first week of December 2025.

Both government and private educational institutions were in a festive mode to welcome the students to school post winter vacation.

Special treatment was being given to the kindergarten and primary class students.

As the kids reached their schools, the teachers, mostly the form teachers welcomed the students with positive gestures and the littles kids were also offered sweets as well.

The students also cherished their reunion with their peer group.

“Going back to school is the best feeling as we reconnect with our friends and teachers whom we miss during vacations,” said a primary class student of Tyndale Biscoe School Srinagar.

“I am happy to come back to my school,” he said.

A student of SRM Welkin Sopore Sopore termed the school as her second home saying they missed their teachers during vacations.

“My school is my second home, we cannot imagine our life without our Welkin family. We missed this family during vacation,” a female student of Welkin School said.

Another student said they greeted each other with hugs and smiles and shared whatever we did during winter vacations.

“Missing our teachers is a routine but we share a special bond with some teachers,” another male student said.

A student at Saint Josephs Higher Secondary School while cherishing the reunion with the friends said moments spent with friends in schools are irreplaceable.

“We spend good time at home but sharing moments with friends and classmates gives inner peace,” a primary class student said.

She said they did not mind waking up early as they were eagerly waiting for reopening of school.

“The reopening of schools was delayed by week and I did not like it at all,” the student said.

The teachers were equally excited to see the students back in schools.

“We are really happy to be with them again. After parents, we have a role to shape their life and we ensure that we provide them better environment,” a school teacher at Saint Josephs School Baramulla said.

The scenes at government schools were equally touching as the teachers were seen completely engaged with the students.

Like other government schools, Government Middle School Hamray in Baramulla reopened in festive mode to welcome the students.

The teaching staff including the head of the institution engaged students in different creative activities while the kindergarten kids were given sweets as well.

Deputy Chief Education Officer (CEO) Baramulla, Iftikhar Bashir, who visited the school said the students at the school are more into creativity.

“The students here used their creativity to turn waste products into new designs and also make products out of clay. This school is an inspiration for other schools of the district,” he said.

He applauded the head of the school for leading the team from front and taking care of the students.

“Their work is incredible. The way this school engages students in creative activities is appreciable,” he said.