Srinagar, March 7 -- Schools across Kashmir reopened on Friday after a three-month-long winter vacation, marking the resumption of academic activities in over nine thousand government and private institutions.

Students were welcomed back with chocolates and toffees by teachers, while classrooms saw smiling faces.

However, attendance remained thin in classrooms as it was a half-working day for private schools due to Friday prayers.

The schools were initially scheduled to reopen on March 1, but authorities extended the break due to inclement weather conditions.

On December 6, the government had announced winter vacations for all public and recognized private educational institutions in Kashmir and the winter zones of Jammu in two phases...