Schools cut short Dasara holidays

Action plan being chalked out to complete the course without putting pressure on students

With a few schools deciding to function during Dasara holidays, it will be all work and no play for students currently enjoying a break following Samaikyandhra agitation in Visakhapatnam. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Ever since the Congress Working Committee’s decision to carve out a separate Telangana has been announced, the otherwise normal life of the Seemandhra region has come to a standstill.

With the involvement of various government departments, NGOs, APSRTC, and a host of other organisations, the ongoing Samaikyandhra stir, spearheaded by the Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers’ Association under the banner of ‘Save United AP Forum’, continued for the 63 day on Tuesday.

Due to frequent unplanned closure of educational institutions, most schools and colleges are now chalking out an action plan to complete the rest of the course.

While private schools decided to reduce the number of Dasara holidays, some intend to upload notes and records online, including a few extra classes.

After the recent week-long bandh that ended on September 30, a few schools are operating on Gandhi Jayanti day. Principal and correspondent of Little Angels School, MVP Colony, M. Venumohan, said: “Students have lost almost 20 days of the academic year. The pre-board examinations for Classes IX and X have already been cancelled due to the indefinite strike. Now, we are left with no other choice but to extend the classes during weekends and slash down Dasara holidays to four days instead of nine.”

Principal of PRISM College B. Uma Bala said: “We extend our support for a unified State. But Samaikyandhra agitators should be considerate towards the student community and not try to paralyse the functioning of educational institutions. The righteous anger of the people should be expressed in the coming elections and one should take an effort to put an end to the erring politicians who follow whimsical ways to fulfil their selfish motives.”

Once the agitation mellows down, District Education Officer B. Lingeswara Reddy will announce an action plan involving teachers and principals of government schools across the district.

“Customising the syllabus, taking special classes, and working on a few holidays are lined up in the action plan. The focus is to help reduce the pressure on students and complete the curriculum with ease,” he explained.