Weather disruptions lead to school closures, exam changes in several states

Several states have announced changes to school schedules in response to extreme weather conditions and a state holiday, with authorities in Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, and West Bengal issuing separate directives affecting classes and examinations.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has declared a two-week summer vacation for all government and recognized private schools up to the higher secondary level across the Kashmir Valley.

The break will begin on July 6 and continue until July 19, with schools scheduled to reopen on July 20.

The decision follows a spell of unusually high temperatures across the Kashmir Valley in recent days, prompting parents and students to seek an early summer vacation.

Announcing the decision on X, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Itoo urged students, teachers, and school staff to remain safe during the vacation.

She also encouraged students to stay hydrated, take precautions against the heat, and use the break for rest, reading, and spending meaningful time with their families.

In Maharashtra, heavy monsoon conditions have led the district administrations of Palghar and Raigad to declare a holiday for all primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools on July 2 to ensure student safety.

Despite the closure of schools, headmasters, teachers, and non-teaching staff have been directed to report to their respective schools or offices and remain available for disaster management duties and to comply with instructions issued by the local administration.

The University of Mumbai has also canceled all examinations scheduled for July 2 for colleges located in Palghar district and those falling under the jurisdiction of the Panvel Municipal Corporation.

In an official notice, the university said, "All examinations scheduled for July 2, 2026, for colleges located in Palghar district and within the jurisdiction of the Panvel Municipal Corporation have been cancelled. The revised dates for these examinations will be announced on the official website of the University of Mumbai."

Students affected by the postponement have been advised to monitor the university's official website for the revised examination schedule.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has declared a public holiday on July 6 to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

The state has also directed schools to conduct classes for students in Classes 1 to 8 only during morning hours under the revised schedule.

Educational institutions have been instructed to continue following the modified timings until further directions are issued by the district administration.

According to the authorities, the revised school timings have been introduced because temperatures remain high across the state, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses among children.