IF the Union government has its way, CBSE schools may have to remain open on this Christmas.
The Union human resource development ministry wants to celebrate the birthdays of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Hindu Mahasabha leader Madan Mohan Malviya by observing ‘good governance day’ on December 25. The BJP government wants CBSE to carry out various activities, like an essay competition, so that students’ participation increases.
Although CBSE has not communicated this to its affiliated schools yet, the Union government-run Navodaya Vidyalays have issued a circular to their schools. The Navodaya schools operate in rural areas on the lines of Kendriya Vidyalayas, and are affiliated to CBSE. The Navodaya circular says CBSE will be organizing an essay competition on December 24 and 25, the topics for which will be declared on December 23.
The essay competition will be held separately for standards I-V, standards VI-VIII and standards IX-X. Navodaya commissioner GS Bothyal has asked schools to conduct quiz competitions, screen documentaries on best practices in good governance and perform other related activities on Christmas.
While there won’t be a Christmas holiday for Navodaya schools, the central board hasn’t given any direction to private CBSE schools yet. It is also not clear whether staying open on Christmas would be mandatory for such schools.
A senior CBSE official told TOI that asking schools to remain open on Christmas Day would be tricky, especially if they are Christian schools. “I have been told about December 24 and that is still being worked out. Schools have not been informed anything yet,” the official added.
Adhering to the ministry’s plan would throw the schools’ vacation schedule off-course. Almost all CBSE schools in the country start their winter vacations from either December 23 or 24. CBSE is expected to make an announcement on the matter soon. Abhishek Choudhari in The Times of India
