Taking exception to the proposal to reduce Dasara and summer holidays for primary and high school teachers, the former Minister and Basavaraj Horatti, MLC, has urged Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar to drop the move.
In a letter to Mr. Ratnakar, which was released to the media, Mr. Horatti said that the move to reduce Dasara holidays by eight days and summer holidays by 12 days had not gone down well with the teaching community. It had led to an increase of school days from 220 to 240 from the present academic year.
Referring to the clarification by the authorities that the holidays had been reduced to balance the need for more teaching hours for the revised curriculum, Mr. Horatti termed the decision “unscientific.”
“The reduction in holidays will pressure teachers and students. It will make an adverse impact on teaching. The earlier scientific system of holidays was decided based on the academic activities of teachers and students and there is a dire need to continue it,” he said.
The former Minister pointed out that teachers’ services were already being utilised for Census, caste census, revision of electoral rolls and others.
At a time when the teachers were working under pressure, the reduction in holidays would further burden them with mental pressure, which would result in them not being able to teach students effectively, he said.
Mr. Horatti urged the Minister to withdraw the proposal and exempt teachers from attending non-teaching works like census and others. “Such a move will help teachers ensure effective teaching as per the new curriculum,” he said.
The MLC writes to Kimmane Ratnakar, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education
‘Proposal is to reduce Dasara holidays by eight days and summer holidays by 12 days’
