Bihar withdraws notification curtailing school holidays after backlash

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government on Monday withdrew the notification that reduced the number of school holidays from 23 to 11 between September and December during Diwali and Chhath Puja after facing massive backlash.

The announcement came after the teacher’s associations in Bihar threatened to launch a state-wide agitation from September 5. Around 15 teachers’ associations unanimously decided to protest against the department’s recent decision to reduce the number of festival holidays.

The recent notification released by the state education ministry stated that the revised holiday reduction notification released on August 29 has been withdrawn with immediate effect.

A special holiday calendar was recently brought out by the state education department in a bid to ensure compliance with the Right to Education Act and maximise the number of working days in primary and middle schools across the state

As per the new notification which was issued on August 29 the department reduced the number of festival holidays to 11, which were 23 between September to December. The notice also sought to bring uniformity in holiday schedules across the state, although district education officers retain the authority to declare additional holidays with prior approval from the department.

Under the previous notification, the number of holidays during Durga Puja was reduced from six days to three, and gave only one day off for Diwali (on November 12). Another holiday was to be given on Chitragupta Puja (Nov 15) and two days for Bihar’s most popular festival, Chhtah Puja (Nov 19 and 20), instead of the earlier practice of nine days at a stretch.

The decision sparked a controversy as some teachers argued that attendance would be low despite the holidays being cancelled, but they would still be required to teach.

Responding to the criticism, Nitish Kumar had asked what is wrong with “educating children”? He said he supports education and the step has only been taken to ensure children are taught well on time.
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