Education Minister Sakina has admitted that the recent flood-like situation during Operation Sindoor in Jammu and Kashmir has badly affected school functioning and delayed syllabus completion. Many schools were closed for several days due to waterlogging and disruptions in transport, leaving teachers and students struggling to keep up with the academic calendar.
I chose to write about this issue because it highlights how natural disasters directly affect children’s education, which is often overlooked in the larger discussion around relief and rescue. While loss of property and livelihoods gets attention, the academic year of thousands of students is equally at stake when schools cannot function properly. Education is not just about completing textbooks, but about continuity and stability for children. By covering this topic, I want to underline why authorities need to integrate education into disaster management planning. It is important for parents, teachers, and even policymakers to know how such interruptions can have long-term effects on students’ learning outcomes, exam performance, and overall confidence.
How Operation Sindoor Affected Schools
The operation was carried out to deal with heavy rains and flood-like conditions in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The immediate effect on education was:
- Closure of schools in flood-affected areas
- Disruption in transport facilities making it hard for students to attend classes
- Damage to school infrastructure in low-lying areas
- Interruption in teaching schedules and planned syllabus coverage
Teachers have been working under pressure to adjust the lost days, but it has created an additional burden on both staff and students.
Minister Sakina’s Statement
Education Minister Sakina said the situation was unavoidable and the safety of children had to come first. However, she also acknowledged that syllabus completion has been affected. She emphasised that steps are being taken to manage the delay, such as:
- Extra classes once schools reopen fully
- Adjustments in the exam calendar if required
- Support for schools that suffered infrastructure damage
Her statement indicates the government’s awareness of the academic challenges, but parents and educators are still anxious about whether the measures will be enough.
Why This Matters For Students
For students preparing for board exams and competitive tests, every week of disruption can make a big difference. Rural students, who may not have access to online learning, are the worst affected. Unlike in urban areas, where private schools often continue classes digitally, many government schools in flood-hit areas had no backup option. This has widened the learning gap between students from different backgrounds.
