Srinagar : Students across Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) in Kashmir endure bitter cold in classrooms as temperatures plunge, with no heating arrangements in place.
Despite the mercury dipping below freezing in many areas, the Higher Education Department (HED) has failed to provide adequate heating facilities. “We have no heating gadgets in classrooms, leaving students to suffer in the cold. As a result, many prefer to stay home,” a college professor, speaking anonymously.
While colleges were expected to install heating facilities by mid-November, students continue to shiver through the day. “Principals often dismiss the issue, citing low attendance as a justification for inaction,” another official revealed.
Classes are scheduled to run until December, but the absence of heating has caused many students to skip lessons. “In the past, classes ended by mid-November, and heating arrangements were provided only for exams. Now, the academic calendar has changed, but heating provisions remain inadequate,” the professor added.
Faculty members, however, benefit from heating gadgets in their staff rooms, a glaring contrast that has sparked concern among academics. “Students pay substantial fees for their undergraduate courses. Colleges can easily allocate a portion of these funds for heating,” said a senior professor.
The situation is not limited to colleges. Government schools also lack heating arrangements, forcing students to sit on cold floors during the Term II summative assessments. In some cases, students even wrote exams under the open sky, contradicting claims by the Director of School Education Kashmir that heating would be provided wherever necessary.
Director of Colleges J&K, Prof. Sheikh Aijaz Bashir, acknowledged the problem and assured that principals have been instructed to make heating arrangements. “Classrooms are large, and the cold poses a significant challenge. We’ve directed all principals to address this issue,” Bashir stated.
An official communication to college principals emphasizes the need for a conducive learning environment. “Harsh winter conditions severely affect student health, attendance, and academic performance. Adequate heating is essential for their well-being,” the notice reads.
While the directive offers hope, the question remains: will students finally experience the warmth they deserve, or will the cold continue to compromise their education?
