After traders and merchants, unaided school managements have now turned against flash hartals and strikes, which, they say, have affected the academic standard of students.
At a meeting held here on Monday, they pointed out that students were losing precious working days due to hartals and strikes and urged the State government to provide security to them. Most of these unaided schools, both recognised and unrecognised by the Education Department, are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education.
Nizar Olavanna, president of a coordination committee of unaided school managements, told The Hindu that various organisations had called for around 120 hartals last year, including those observed in different regions. Owing to this, schools were unable to have 220 working days in the current academic year. As a result, the academic standard of students was taking a hit, he pointed out.
Mr. Nizar said that they would urge leaders of trade unions, political parties and regional groups to exempt them from hartals and strikes.
He said that a delegation would meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala soon.
