It will ensure a balanced, effective education system
The calls demanding the restoration of the traditional November-December academic session in Jammu and Kashmir are growing louder. Parents, educators, and private school owners have called for this reform, pointing out that the March session, introduced in 2022, is a waste of time and energy, and disrupts the region’s unique educational cycle. After the recent formation of the elected government in the Union Territory, there is hope that the traditional academic calendar will be restored, and for good reason.
The shifting of the academic session from November to March failed to account for the region’s unique climatic and geographical conditions. Students, parents and teachers are now facing the negative consequences of this calendar shift, which has resulted in truncated academic years, lost months, and compressed syllabi.
The challenges posed by the March session are profound. Under this system, students sit for exams in March and April, at a time when the region experiences harsh winter conditions, including snowfall and freezing temperatures. In the traditional November-December system, students would take their winter break in these months, using the time for self-study and preparation for the new academic year. By March, when the weather improved, they could return to school for nine months of uninterrupted learning.
The March session shrinks this productive academic cycle to just five or six months. The examinations held in March, followed by result delays, mean that the academic year often begins as late as July for students in remote or difficult-to-reach areas. This leaves little time to complete the syllabus, and students and teachers alike face immense pressure. Teachers are forced to rush through lessons, sacrificing the depth and quality of education. The official school vacations further reduce the actual number of working days, severely affecting learning outcomes. Given the unique geographical and climatic conditions of Kashmir, it is essential to restore the traditional November-December academic session.
While transitioning back to the traditional academic session may pose logistical challenges, it is both necessary and urgent. A smooth transition could be facilitated by shortening the current academic year and adopting multiple-choice question (MCQ)-based exams, which would reduce the burden on students and teachers while maintaining academic standards.
Restoring the November-December academic session is crucial for the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir’s students. The current March session has proven unsustainable, compressing the academic year and placing immense pressure on both students and educators. A return to the traditional session, aligned with the region’s climate and academic needs, is the only way to ensure a balanced, effective education system that meets the needs of all stakeholders.
