Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Directorate of School Education Kashmir has banned schools across the Valley from allowing students to leave early without authorisation on the last working day of every month, moving to shut down what it described as an unauthorized practice that had crept into several institutions.
According to a circular issued by DSEK, the directorate said it had observed during visits to various schools in North Kashmir, including Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara, that some educational institutions had taken to dispersing students before the prescribed closing time on the last working day of the month, treating it as an informal half-day despite no such provision existing in the official school calendar.
The circular made clear that the practice would no longer be tolerated. “The last working day of the month is a regular working day and the prescribed school timings shall be adhered to in letter and spirit,” the circular stated, adding that no Head of Institution or staff member is permitted to curtail instructional hours or disperse students early merely because it happens to be the final day of the month.
DSEK said such practices result in the loss of valuable instructional time, adversely affect students’ academic interests and reflect a serious lapse in the proper discharge of official duties. The directorate further noted that during these curtailed hours, students are often left without meaningful academic engagement, while staff may end up occupied with activities unconnected to their assigned duties, a pattern it said undermines the basic purpose of the school day.
The directorate has directed all Chief Education Officers, Zonal Education Officers and Heads of Institutions across Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara to ensure the practice is stopped immediately and that schools function strictly according to prescribed timings, both on the last working day of the month and on all other working days throughout the year. The circular placed direct responsibility on school leadership for compliance, stating that Heads of Institutions shall remain personally accountable for ensuring proper attendance of staff and students, effective use of instructional time and strict adherence to prescribed school timings.
DSEK added that any instance of unauthorized early dispersal or deliberate curtailment of school hours would be viewed seriously going forward, warning that any official found involved in, facilitating or permitting such practices would be liable for strict administrative or disciplinary action under applicable rules, in addition to any other action warranted by the circumstances.
