Schools in Jammu Division remain closed today; classes
expected to resume from Sept 10 after safety clearance
Jammu: The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) on Friday issued instructions regarding the reopening of schools across the division, making it clear that resumption of offline classes will depend on safety audits in the wake of the recent floods and landslides that have caused widespread damage to infrastructure.
As per the official order, all government and private schools in Jammu Division will remain closed on Saturday.
However, all Heads of Institutions (HoIs) and staff have been directed to report on duty from Monday (September 8) to conduct comprehensive security and safety audits of school buildings. Classes are tentatively scheduled to resume from September 10, subject to clearance from the concerned authorities.
“The concerned Chief Education Officers (CEOs) shall monitor day-to-day activities and submit detailed reports to this office. All concerned are hereby directed to ensure timely compliance of the instructions in letter and spirit,” the order reads.
The instructions come against the backdrop of unprecedented rainfall, flash floods, and landslides that wreaked havoc across several districts of Jammu region since mid-August. Record rainfall on August 26–27 further worsened the situation, submerging low-lying areas and damaging both public and private property, including vital education infrastructure.
According to preliminary assessments, more than 100 schools have suffered partial or complete damage across Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, and Rajouri districts.
In Kathua alone, 61 schools have reported damages. “Four school buildings have been fully damaged, while Government Middle School Moar in Malhar Zone has been declared unsafe due to land sliding,” said Rajeev Abrol, CEO Kathua. He added that the figures may rise as reports from remote and hilly areas are still being compiled.
In Samba district, CEO Kewal Krishan confirmed that around 40 schools had reported damages so far. “The situation is still evolving. We will first call teaching and non-teaching staff to schools to assess the ground situation before deciding on reopening for students,” he said.
In Jammu district, CEO Ajit Sharma said the process of compiling data was still underway. “We expect to finalize the report within two days. The decision on reopening schools rests with higher authorities, but we have sought safety audits before any resumption of teaching work,” Sharma said.
Similar reports have emerged from Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, and Rajouri districts, where floodwaters entered school premises, leaving behind heavy deposits of mud and slush. Many classrooms are still waterlogged, and damaged furniture and paraphernalia lie scattered.
Officials admitted that restoring flood-hit schools to a usable condition will be a daunting task. “Removing mud and debris from classrooms will take time, especially in rural and hilly areas where access itself is a challenge,” an education department official said.
They stressed that resumption of normal classwork will be considered only after safety inspections are complete and the structures are certified fit for occupation.
The devastation across Jammu region has been severe. Since August 14, cloudburst-triggered landslides and flash floods have claimed over 130 lives, left more than 120 injured, and 33 people are still missing. The calamity has dealt a heavy blow to public infrastructure, with schools being among the worst-hit.
