Open letter to the Education Minister
By: Mohammad Nadeem
Respected Madam,
I write this open letter with deep concern and sincere hope, on behalf of countless students, teachers, and parents across Jammu & Kashmir who are witnessing a silent academic crisis.
While summer vacation is a customary and necessary part of the school calendar, it is imperative that we reflect on the broader academic structure governing our Union Territory. It is an undeniable fact that the number of working days in J&K averages around 170 to 175 per year, compared to 210 to 220 working days in most other states in the country.
This disparity — a difference of nearly 45–50 instructional days annually — is not a minor variation. It poses serious consequences for the academic development and competitive preparedness of our students:
Syllabus completion is rushed, often at the cost of true conceptual understanding.
Students are at a disadvantage in national-level entrance exams like NEET, JEE, CUET, and UPSC-based tests, as they receive less classroom time and structured academic support.
The lack of sufficient academic days restricts remedial teaching, career guidance sessions, skill-based learning, and co-curricular exposure — all of which are critical in today’s competitive environment.
While we recognize the unique challenges faced by our region — from harsh winters to administrative or security constraints — this calendar gap cannot remain unaddressed if we are to truly uplift the educational standards of our youth.
Through this letter, we respectfully request your good office to:
- Review and restructure the academic calendar to bring J&K in line with national standards.
- Consider the possibility of academic activities during part of the summer/winter breaks through optional revision sessions, online modules, or bridge courses.
- Provide additional academic support to students preparing for competitive exams, especially in government institutions.
- Ensure that the academic load is distributed more evenly throughout the year, without overwhelming students in shortened terms.
Madam, your leadership has brought renewed hope and progressive thinking to the education sector of Jammu & Kashmir. We believe that your office will take bold, timely steps to close this academic gap and give our students a fair, fighting chance to compete at par with the rest of the country.
Let us not allow reduced working days to reduce the potential of an entire generation.
With sincere regards, A Concerned Educator
Bunmakhama Magam, Budgam
