Srinagar, July 09: Cabinet Minister for Education, Health & Medical Education and Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, has said that all decisions in Jammu and Kashmir are being taken while keeping in mind the region’s unique climate and ground realities.
Speaking to the media, Itoo said the recent decision to shift school timings to early morning was made due to the unprecedented heatwave in the Valley. She added that the move was aimed at preventing disruption in students’ education.
“There was such intense heat—perhaps this kind of temperature has never been experienced in Kashmir before. We thank Allah that the rains have finally arrived,” she said, according to KNS. “The shift in school timing was necessary because exams are now scheduled for October-November, and we’re already in July,” she added.
The minister, however, acknowledged that many parents and stakeholders have suggested reconsidering the new school schedule. “I have already spoken to the concerned officers, and InshaAllah, we will sit together. Whatever is most convenient and beneficial for students and staff will be done,” she said.
On the issue of healthcare, Itoo said the system is facing challenges due to years of neglect. “You can’t fix in eight months what wasn’t done in ten years,” she said, according to KNS. “There are areas where no doctor was posted for six years, and the basic infrastructure was missing,” she added.
She mentioned that 309 appointment letters were issued to qualified youth under the previous government led by Omar Abdullah to serve in remote areas and improve patient care. Itoo also said that consultant appointments are being carried out regularly and efforts are being made to deploy them effectively.
However, she pointed out that many health buildings were hastily upgraded without proper planning, leaving them without equipment, medical stores, or essential facilities. “This situation needs to be consolidated. We need cooperation from the media, the public, and all departments to strengthen our healthcare system,” she said.
Talking about the challenges faced during winter, Itoo said it is impossible to install heating in all of the nearly 1,000 schools in the region, especially where buildings are not structurally equipped. “Can we cancel exams just because of snowfall or cold? After health, education is our biggest priority,” she said.
“We are trying our best, but this is Jammu & Kashmir, not America. We have to plan according to our weather and circumstances,” said Sakina Itoo. (KNS)
