Like in Delhi, Gurgaon parents want early summer vacation

With the mercury rising, Delhi schools have already declared early summer vacations and parents in Gurgaon want the education department to order the same in the city.

With the mercury rising, Delhi schools have already declared early summer vacations and parents in Gurgaon want the education department to order the same in the city.

Students and parents outside DPS school, Gurgaon, in the scorching sun on Thursday. (Abhinav Saha/HT Photo)

The schools are not expected to declare holidays before May 23, an official of the education department, said.

The Delhi government has ordered all schools in the national capital to declare mandatory summer vacations from May 11, giving relief to students and teachers from the scorching heat. Citing similar mercury levels in the two cities, Gurgaon parents said that the high temperature will affect the health of children in Gurgaon too.

“My younger child suffered a heat stroke and fell sick. Most of the schools do not have air conditioners and even if they do, the buses are not fitted with ACs. The officials should not risk the health of students and declare summer vacations early,” Amita Singh, a parent, said.

The parents also pointed out that the city schools do not have uniformity in declaring holidays.

“I have two children. While my son has holidays starting on Monday, my daughter has to attend school till May 21. The schools should suspend classes immediately after discussing the matter,” Pranjal Anand, a parent, said.

Private school authorities said they are in discussion with the administration to decide on an early summer break because of the shortage of water and frequent power outages. The schools have already tweaked working hours and declared holidays for primary classes.

“We have changed the school timings and are having an early dispersal for students. Moreover, the school has declared holidays for primary classes and the secondary classes will also be relieved by next week,” Col (retired) Pratap Singh, chairman of CCA School and president of Haryana Progressive Schools conference (Gurgaon), said.