Mirwaiz Umar Farooq backs 5-day school week in J&K, cites child wellbeing
Synopsis
J&K's senior cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has thrown his weight behind the proposed 5-day school week for the Union Territory, saying children need time to rest, play, and grow — not just study. The proposal is already with the Directorate of School Education and is under active government consideration.
Key Takeaways
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq endorsed J&K's proposed 5-day school week on 20 September 2026 in Srinagar .
He said children's mental health and overall wellbeing must remain central to the education system.
J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed the proposal has been sent to the Directorate of School Education and is under active consideration.
Around 2,800 students from maktabs across districts participated in the Grand Seerah Competition at Jama Masjid, Srinagar .
The event was organised by Maktab Maseeh-ul-Ummah in collaboration with the Mirwaiz Foundation .
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Jammu & Kashmir's senior cleric, on Sunday, 20 September 2026, expressed support for a proposed 5-day school week in the Union Territory, saying children's mental health and overall wellbeing must remain at the heart of the education system. His remarks came on the sidelines of a religious function in Srinagar and aligned with an ongoing government review of the shortened schedule.
What Mirwaiz Said
Speaking to reporters, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq described the proposal as a welcome move. 'Our children need time not only to study, but also to rest, spend time with their families, play and grow in a healthy and balanced manner. Their mental health and overall wellbeing must remain at the heart of education,' he said.
The cleric emphasised that a balanced approach to schooling — one that accommodates rest, family time, and recreation alongside academics — was essential for the healthy development of children in the region.
Government's Position on the Proposal
J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo has confirmed that a formal proposal to introduce a 5-day school week across the Union Territory has been forwarded to the Directorate of School Education and is currently under active government consideration. No timeline for a final decision has been announced yet.
The development reflects a broader national conversation around student workload and learning outcomes. Several Indian states have already moved toward shorter or restructured school weeks, citing evidence that rest and extracurricular engagement improve academic performance over time.
Seerah Competition at Jama Masjid
Separately, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed satisfaction over the turnout at the Grand Seerah Competition — focused on the life and teachings of the Prophet — held at the historic Jama Masjid, Srinagar. Around 2,800 boys and girls from religious schools, known as maktabs, across multiple districts participated in the event.
The competition was organised by Maktab Maseeh-ul-Ummah in collaboration with the Mirwaiz Foundation. 'At a time when our children and youth are facing many social, emotional and moral challenges, it is extremely important that they remain connected with the Seerah of the Prophet, which offers guidance for every aspect of life,' the Mirwaiz said.
He congratulated participating children, their teachers, parents, and organisers, and urged that such programmes continue to nurture knowledge, good character, and a deeper understanding of Islamic teachings among younger generations.
What Comes Next
With the proposal now sitting with the Directorate of School Education, a formal government decision is awaited. Should J&K adopt the 5-day week, it would affect thousands of students across the Union Territory and could reshape daily routines for families in both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu division.
Point of View
And his alignment with the government's proposal is notable given the historically complex relationship between religio-political leadership and the administration. The 5-day school week debate is not unique to J&K — it mirrors a wider national reckoning with student burnout and the limits of rote-heavy schooling. What is missing from the current discourse, however, is any data on how reduced school time would interact with J&K's already disrupted academic calendar, which has historically been affected by curfews, weather shutdowns, and other interruptions. A shorter formal week without a compensatory learning framework could widen existing gaps rather than close them.
NationPress
20 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed 5-day school week in J&K?
It is a proposal to shorten the school schedule in Jammu & Kashmir from six days to five days per week. The proposal has been submitted to the Directorate of School Education and is currently under active consideration by the J&K government.
Who is Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and why does his endorsement matter?
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is J&K's senior cleric and a prominent religio-political figure in the Kashmir Valley. His support for the 5-day school week proposal adds significant public and community backing to what is still a government-level deliberation.
What did J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo say about the proposal?
Education Minister Sakina Itoo confirmed that the 5-day school week proposal has been formally forwarded to the Directorate of School Education and is under active government consideration. No final decision or implementation timeline has been announced.
What was the Seerah Competition held at Jama Masjid Srinagar?
The Grand Seerah Competition focused on the life and teachings of the Prophet and was held at the historic Jama Masjid in Srinagar. Around 2,800 boys and girls from maktabs across districts participated, with the event organised by Maktab Maseeh-ul-Ummah in collaboration with the Mirwaiz Foundation.
Who would be affected if J&K adopts the 5-day school week?
All school-going students across the Union Territory — spanning both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu division — would be affected, along with their teachers and families, should the government approve and implement the proposal.
