"The government ordered that winter vacations of the government as well as private recognised educational institutions of Kashmir division including winter zones of Jammu division for schools up to middle standard shall commence from December 3 up to February 28, 2013," an official spokesman said.
However, the high schools and higher secondary schools shall observe winter break from December 15 up to February 28, 2013, the spokesman said.
Schools used to close for winter vacations in Kashmir division from December 15 and reopen on March 1 the following year. However, schools were closed on December 1 last year due to intense cold wave conditions.
No reason was given for the early winter break this year, but it is believed that the decision was taken in view of the drop in temperature in the Valley following fresh snowfall in upper reaches of Kashmir yesterday.