Declare Christmas holidays, schools urge Maharashtra education department

While some schools have given classes a break even this year, teachers said an official policy was needed for everyone to be able to implement it.

Schools in Maharashtra have requested the state education department to grant Christmas vacations for teachers and students to give them a break from online classes. Recently, several teachers requested the department to give them at least a week-long break like many schools give during the festival every year.

Student attend a class sitting on alternate benches as a precaution during pandemic in Sangli. (HT FILE)

“Students are tired due to the online classes that began in June this year. Due to the Covid-19 situation everyone is cooped up at home, so some break is definitely needed. The department has not given an academic calendar this year, thus making it difficult for schools to plan their year. We request that the department at least asks schools to not conduct exams or any sort of assessment this month,” said Rajesh Pandya from Teachers Democratic Front.

Several schools in the city generally declare holidays each year for Christmas and New Year with schools remaining shut between December 24 and January 1. While some schools have given classes a break even this year, teachers said an official policy was needed for everyone to be able to implement it.

“Just like the government announced Diwali break, we are hoping that they give at least a few days off for Christmas,” said a teacher from a convent school in the suburbs.

An official from the state education department said, “A decision is yet to be taken in this regard.”

Over the past few months, teachers have been requesting the education department to give them an academic calendar for the current year as classes continue to remain online this year. “In the absence of a calendar, each school is following its own schedule and there is absolutely no uniformity whatsoever,” said the teacher of an aided school in Dahisar.