Let's be clear, July 7 -- this is not just about discomfort. It's about endangering our school-going children. With temperatures soaring above 37degC, among the highest ever recorded in Kashmir's July history, the government is forcing children, including nursery and kindergarten students, to travel in the heat, sit in stifling classrooms with no ACs, and then attend online classes at home after barely a one-hour break. That's not what serves the purpose of education.

The summer break could have been extended. The administration had that option. And if not, it could have directed schools to start virtual classes. More so, when there is a precedent for this. The option was exercised sensibly during the COVID-19 years, when online learning...