The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday ordered summer vacations for all educational institutions including Schools and Colleges from July 06 (Thursday), to July 15 (Saturday), in Kashmir region and Jammu winter zone.

As per the orders issued by the Secretary School education department Farooq Ahmad Shah, all the government schools as well as private recognized schools up to the level of Higher Secondary  functioning in Kashmir and winter zone of Jammu region will remain closed from July 06 to July 15 on account of summer vacations.

“It is hereby ordered that all Government Educational Institutions as also recognized private schools up to the Higher Secondary Level functioning in the Kashmir Division and winter zone of Jammu Division shall observe summer vacations with effect from July 6 to July 16,” the government order reads.

“Any default on part of private institutions in observance of the calendar of summer vacations so authorized shall attract action under rules,” it reads further.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Higher Education Department (HED) also ordered closure of all Degree Colleges in Kashmir as well Jammu winter zone for summer vacations from July 06 to July 15.

“All Government Degree Colleges of Kashmir division and winter zone Jammu division shall observe summer vacations with effect from July 06 to July 15, 2017,” reads the order issued by Commissioner Secretary Higher Education Department Asgar Samoon on Thursday.

Meanwhile, sources said the summer vacations will be announced by Kashmir University (KU) from July 07 to July 15. “The issue is being discussed in administration and order may be issued in a day or two,” a top official in KU told ‘Kashmir Vision’.

Pertinently, this year the government has curtailed the vacation period from 15 days to 8 days given the disturbances in the academic session in previous months.

“Given the disruptions in academic session during past months, the government decided to announce summer vacations for a shorter period,” the officials said.

This year the schools and colleges remained closed for a prolonged period in wake of thrashing of students in Government Degree College (GDC) Pulwama by forces on April 15, leaving over 50 students injured.

Post incident, campuses erupted across Kashmir against the forces’ action on students forcing government to announce closure of schools and colleges at various places.

Guest