The Directorate of School Education Jammu has issued orders for all schools to resume offline classes from September 10, following an 11-day closure brought on by torrential rains, flash floods and landslides.
School heads and staff are required to return to duty immediately and carry out safety inspections of school premises.
DAMAGE AND DISRUPTION
Since August 26, Jammu has endured intense rainfall that triggered flash floods and landslides, severely impacting infrastructure and access roads.
Schools have remained closed throughout this period to ensure student safety and allow time for assessment and repairs. Local news reports highlight that several school buildings and access routes suffered damage, prompting caution before reopening classrooms.
SAFETY AUDITS AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
The Directorate’s directive tasks heads of institutions with conducting a thorough security and safety audit of school buildings before reopening. They must assess structural integrity, drainage systems, and overall readiness to host students safely.
Once the audit is complete, heads can decide on resuming offline classes from September 10, based on their findings.
In addition, chief education officers have been specifically instructed to monitor daily activities in schools. They must submit detailed reports on safety audits, remediation work and readiness to the Directorate’s office.
The directive emphasises that all instructions must be followed “in letter and spirit” to safeguard students, staff and the school community.
CONTEXT AND IMPORTANCE OF RESUMPTION
This reopening aligns with broader efforts by Jammu and Kashmir authorities to restore normalcy in education.
The closure has affected thousands of students, particularly those preparing for board and entrance exams. Restoring school operations is crucial for academic continuity and the emotional well-being of pupils.
With public transport resuming and relief efforts underway through municipal bodies and disaster response units, schools stand as a pivotal part of the return to routine.
The safety-first approach by the Directorate aims to ensure that classrooms become a secure space once again.
