Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir may examine the possibility of introducing a five day school week with Saturdays and Sundays as holidays, following a proposal raised by Pampore MLA Hasnain Masoodi, Greater Kashmir reported.
Masoodi is set to raise the issue during the autumn session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, beginning September 21, citing the limited leisure time available to schoolchildren and the academic pressure they face.
According to the report, Masoodi said his recommendation would be to have five working days for schoolchildren, with weekends kept free to allow them adequate time for rest and activities outside academics.
“Sunday is not enough for them. On Sunday, students again prepare themselves for the next working day, Monday, and they don’t have time for themselves,” Masoodi was quoted as saying.
He also pointed to the homework burden and the weight of school bags carried by students, arguing that children need sufficient leisure time after a demanding school week.
Masoodi said a five day working week was followed in several countries and could be considered in J&K as part of measures aimed at improving students’ overall well being.
Responding to the proposal, Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the government would refer it to the Directors of School Education in Kashmir and Jammu, as well as the Director of Colleges, for examination.
“The Directors will be asked to examine the proposal and see the possibility of implementing it,” Itoo said.
She said the proposal would be examined in the context of concerns raised by Masoodi regarding the burden of school bags and the limited free time available to students.
“We will examine it and decide accordingly,” the minister said.
