The announcement by Jammu and Kashmir’s Education Minister, Sakina Itoo, that all government and private schools in the Kashmir division will observe a ten-day summer break starting July 1, is a long-overdue but welcome step. This decision, though seemingly routine in other parts of India, holds significant importance in Kashmir which is traditionally spared from the worst of summer’s fury but now increasingly grappling with rising temperatures as the effects of climate change begin to take root. Until recently, Kashmir’s temperate summers allowed schools to function without the need for extended summer vacations. But the past few years have painted a different picture. This June, temperatures across the Valley soared past 35°C, with humidity levels compounding the discomfort. Many school buildings, particularly in rural areas, lack basic cooling facilities. Classrooms become stifling, water shortages frequent, and health concerns — including heat exhaustion and dehydration — become pressing issues, especially for younger students. Parents and education activists have been demanding a change for years. Calls for aligning school schedules with the changing climatic realities of the region have gone largely unheeded — until now. Minister Sakina Itoo’s decision acknowledges this growing discomfort and prioritizes student welfare, health, and productivity over rigid adherence to outdated academic calendars. This decision is also significant because it reflects a broader shift in policy responsiveness. As the impacts of global warming are felt even in previously temperate zones like the Kashmir Valley, administrative decisions must adapt swiftly. Ignoring climatic stress in the name of academic discipline is counterproductive. When students and teachers alike are wilting in classrooms, learning suffers. Mental fatigue increases, concentration drops, and overall academic outcomes diminish. Furthermore, this break comes as an opportunity for schools to assess infrastructure readiness. Many institutions urgently need improved ventilation, fans, and water supply systems. A short summer break offers school administrations a chance to implement these changes with minimal disruption. Critics might argue that the ten-day break is too brief to offer meaningful relief, especially if the heatwave persists. This is a valid concern, and authorities should remain flexible — ready to extend the break or shift to hybrid learning if conditions worsen. The priority must always remain the well-being of students and staff. This move marks an important step in aligning education policy with environmental reality. Kashmir is no longer immune to the heatwaves sweeping across the subcontinent. The Education Ministry’s decision is timely, humane, and deeply necessary. It must now be followed by sustained efforts to ensure that schools are better prepared for the summers of the future.