Govt schools likely to remain open on Ram Navami

Government schools in the city are likely to remain open on March 28 on the occasion of Ram Navami. For the first time ever, the government schools in the UT will remain open on one of the most celebrated and auspicious festival in the country.

Government schools in the city are likely to remain open on March 28 on the occasion of Ram Navami.

For the first time ever, the government schools in the UT will remain open on one of the most celebrated and auspicious festival in the country.

According to the vacation calendar released by the administration for the year 2015-16, Ram Navami has been declared as restricted holiday.

It is important to mention here that the education department can declare two restricted holidays in a year and as per a recent order released by education secretary Sarvjit Singh, Raksha Bandhan and Karva Chauth have been marked as the restricted holidays for the year.

This means that schools will remain open on Ram Navami.

Government teachers in the city have condemned the decision as according to them, the department should announce a local holiday on the day.

Sarva Siksha Abhiyan Teacher's Welfare Association president Arvind Rana has submitted a memorandum to DPI (schools) office requesting the department to announce holiday on the occasion.

According to him, a holiday would give the students and teachers time to be able to celebrate the festival.

“All the private schools, government offices and banks will be closed on the day and as it is a very holy festival for Hindus,” said Rana.

“The department should adhere to our request. The department on its discretion can announce a local holiday,” he added.

Raising the voice against the arrangement, teachers claimed that this might end up hurting religious sentiments.

“This is not going to be just on the part of the administration and it may end up hurting religious sentiments. Moreover, it would be a great injustice to the students,” said Ranbir Singh Rana, vice-principal of Government High School, Sarangpur.

Commenting on the issue, Kamlesh Kumar DPI (schools) stated, “We would follow the instructions of the administration only.”