Pvt schools oppose longer winter recess

Private school managements in the city have opposed the Haryana government's decision to extend the winter holidays till January 16. Sanjeev K Ahuja reports.

Private school managements in the city have opposed the Haryana government's decision to extend the winter holidays till January 16.

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According to the managements, the move would adversely affect Class 12 students who are preparing for their board examinations scheduled to begin from March 1.

In view of the intense cold conditions prevailing in the northern states, Haryana education minister Geeta Bhukkal had asked all the government and un-aided schools to declare holidays from January 5 to 16. The announcement came after a road accident caused by fog in Ambala last week, which killed 11 school children.

The Haryana Progressive Schools Conference (HPSC), a group of 60 private schools, has opposed the move and decided to take up the issue with higher authorities.

Pratap Singh, the president of HPSC, said the dates for Class 12 exams have been announced and as per the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), all the schools are supposed to complete their pre-board examinations before February 15.

"We are running on a tight schedule. We are left with little time to finish the pre-board as well as practical examinations. Arranging teachers for model examinations is a mammoth exercise. In such a situation, each day is crucial," Singh said.

Some schools, on the other hand, have decided to resume classes from January 10 as per schedule. But these schools said if the cold wave continues, opening time will be delayed by 30minutes.