Early School Timing Sparks Outrage Among Parents: “How Can Young Kids Wake Up at 5:30 AM?”

By ANN News Desk | July 7, 2025 | Srinagar

The government’s recent decision to start school classes at 7:30 AM after the summer break has sparked widespread anger and concern among parents across Kashmir. Many are calling the move “unrealistic” and “harsh,” especially for younger students who will now be required to wake up as early as 5:30 AM to reach school on time.

Parents argue that the early morning timing, introduced without sufficient consultation or planning, is impractical given the region’s current heatwave and the challenges of daily school transport.

“My daughter is just in Class 2. Waking her up at 5:30 in the morning every day is not only cruel but also unhealthy,” said Nusrat Jan, a mother from Rajbagh.

“Does the government think small children are robots? Who will pack lunch, get them ready, and drop them off so early in the morning?” asked Mohammad Younis, a parent from Nowhatta.

Several parents gathered outside schools and education offices on Monday morning, demanding that the authorities immediately roll back the decision. Social media was also flooded with criticism, with hashtags like #EarlySchoolTiming and #WakeUpGovt trending in the region.

While education officials say the decision was made to “beat the midday heat,” parents argue that the real issue is the lack of proper planning and consideration for children’s health and family routines.

“This isn’t the solution. The government should find better ways to manage the heat—maybe shorter classes or providing coolers—not punishing small kids by cutting into their sleep,” said Sabia Maqbool, another concerned parent.

ANN News tried reaching out to the Education Department for comment, but no official response was received at the time of reporting.

Parents across the valley are urging the government to reconsider this policy and provide a more child-friendly school schedule.