School Holidays: Schools Closed in Several States on December 11
School Holidays: Schools closed in several states on December 11 — Decisions taken due to elections, weather, and administrative reasons.
Schools have been declared closed in several states across the country on December 11. This decision has been taken due to various reasons such as inclement weather, dense fog, election-related activities, security management, and local administrative requirements. Official announcements regarding school closures have been issued in Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, other hilly regions of North India, and select districts of some southern states. Let’s understand in detail which states are affected, the reasons, and the extent of the impact.
- Jammu and Kashmir: Schools Closed Due to Snowfall and Security Reasons
Due to continuous snowfall, rain, and intense cold in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the past few days, the decision has been taken to keep schools closed.
- Temperatures in the Kashmir Valley have dropped below freezing point, affecting normal school activities.
- Due to slippery conditions on many hilly roads and difficulties in transportation, the administration has ordered all government and private schools to remain closed on December 11.
- For security reasons, schools in some districts have also been temporarily closed due to election preparations, to ensure the smooth deployment of polling personnel and security forces.
This decision has been welcomed by parents as the severity of the weather could have affected the health of the children.
- Kerala: Impact of Election Arrangements and Local Festivals
In some districts of Kerala, schools will remain closed on December 11 due to local body by-elections and other administrative activities.
- Holidays have been officially declared in schools that are being used as polling stations.
- In some districts, educational institutions have also been temporarily closed due to annual festivals and local celebrations.
- In some schools in the Malabar region, the holiday period has also been extended due to weather conditions, although this decision varies from district to district.
- North India: Schools Closed Due to Cold, Fog, and Increased Pollution
In North India, particularly in several districts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi-NCR, schools have been declared closed due to deteriorating weather conditions. * Dense fog, which has reduced visibility to 20–40 meters in the morning.
- Concerns about the impact of cold weather and cold waves on children’s health.
- In some districts, the AQI reached very poor levels (400+), leading to the extension of holidays for classes 1–8.
In some places, only the morning shift has been canceled, while in other districts, a complete holiday has been declared.
- Maharashtra and Goa: Impact of Heavy Rains
Due to an active system in the Arabian Sea, heavy rainfall was recorded in the coastal areas of Maharashtra and Goa.
- The administration in the Konkan and Ratnagiri regions has issued an order to keep schools closed on December 11th.
- This step was also taken due to rising water levels in several rivers and disruptions to transportation.
Keeping child safety in mind, private schools have also followed the government’s order.
- Northeast India: School Closures Due to Rain and Administrative Work
In parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Manipur, schools have been closed due to heavy rainfall and administrative review meetings.
- In some districts of Assam, areas along the riverbanks have experienced flooding.
- In Meghalaya, schools were closed due to the risk of landslides caused by continuous rainfall.
- In Nagaland, due to administrative preparations and security deployments, a holiday is in effect in some places on December 11th.
- Other South Indian States: Holidays Due to Various Reasons
In some districts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka:
- Annual structural inspection work
- Local administrative programs
- Preparation for state ceremonies
have led to the temporary closure of some schools.
Most schools in Tamil Nadu will remain open, but in two or three districts, the local administration may declare a holiday after assessing the weather conditions.
- Advisory for Parents and Students
Since the holiday situation varies across states, parents are requested to:
- Confirm the orders from the local district administration.
- Check SMS/WhatsApp notices sent by schools.
- Exercise caution regarding weather and travel conditions. * Provide adequate clothing to young children to protect them from the cold.
- Education Department’s Response
The Education Department stated that the safety of children is paramount.
- The decision to declare a holiday was taken entirely on the basis of safety, considering the severity of the weather.
- Educational institutions play a significant role in election duties, therefore, closing some schools during polling is a necessary step.
- The department said that the missed days will be compensated through special classes, online learning sessions, and Saturday classes.
- Economic and Social Impact
Although a single day’s holiday does not have a major impact, the irregularity of school schedules due to frequently changing weather and election activities is becoming a challenge.
- Parents face the pressure of childcare at home.
- Teachers have to constantly adjust the curriculum according to the changing schedule.
- Administrative challenges also arise in managing transportation and school staff shifts.
Education experts say that extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, cold, and heat indicate the need for changes in the school calendar policy in the future.
Conclusion
School holidays have been declared in several states on December 11th due to electoral duties, administrative arrangements, and primarily, adverse weather conditions. This step has been taken keeping in mind the safety of students and overall management. Parents and students are advised to keep a close watch on local administrative notices and stay safe.