Private schools flout govt order for holiday

The Haryana Government's order regarding the observance of holidays on the second Saturday of every month by all schools across the state is being openly flouted by the management of a number of private schools.

Many schools in Rohtak as well as other districts of the state remain open on the second Saturday of every month, and today was no exception. Numerous private schools remained open and functioned as usual today — the second Saturday of November — without bothering to follow the government's directions.

When questioned about the matter, Rohtak District Education Officer (DEO) Manjeet Malik said, as per the guidelines issued by the government, all schools were supposed to observe a holiday on the second Saturday of every month, and action would be taken against those found violating these directions.

When asked whether any action had been taken against any of the schools in this regard so far, the DEO said no complaint had been received regarding the matter.

"We will take action against the management of the schools that do not adhere to the guidelines issued by the government if we get any complaint in this regard," said

he.

Parents of schoolchildren lament that the owners/managers of the private schools make their own schedules instead of following the holiday calendar prepared by the government. "The parents who are in government services cannot plan family events or outings even on gazetted holidays as the schools where their children are studying may be open and even schedule tests on those days," rued Kamal, a parent.

School teachers also said that a uniform holiday schedule should be followed by the government as well as private institutions so that all family members could have common holidays.

"The managements of the educational institutes should adopt a humane approach and accord due priority to the well-being and contentment of the students, teachers, and other staff members," asserted a schoolteacher-cum-parent, requesting anonymity.