CBSE extends deadline for Good Governance Day essay competition by a day

The board issued a circular on Wednesday after the Central government informed the Delhi high court that entries to the competition will be accepted on December 25 and 26.

Facing criticism over organising an essay competition on Good Governance Day (December 25) in schools affiliated to it, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a circular extending the last date for the online contest to December 26.

The board issued a circular on Wednesday after the Central government informed the Delhi high court that entries to the competition will be accepted on December 25 and 26.

“The extension given is according to the direction of the Delhi high court and we expect a better response from students because they get more time to submit their essays,” a CBSE official said, on condition of anonymity.

The previous deadline of December 25 also marked the birthdays of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and educationalist Madan Mohan Malaviya.

Principals of Mumbai schools said the extension does not matter.

Ganesh Parameswaran, principal, Bal Bharati Public School, Navi Mumbai said, “The extension given will not create any difference as schools are already closed. The CBSE should have thought about an extension in advance instead of creating such ambiguity.”

Anjali Bowen, principal, Ryan International School, Kandivli said, “After Christmas vacations, the schools will reopen on January 2, so I don’t see much response for this essay competition.”

Another principal, on condition of anonymity, said, “We get notices from CBSE every week to participate in many programmes that are optional. We usually participate in a few of them. Despite the vacation, students will have to run around to find an internet connection to participate in the competition.”

The entries can be submitted online or through WhatsApp on December 26 between 9am and 5pm on the links mentioned on the CBSE website.