Do not conduct special classes on holidays, Edu Dept tells private schools

Chennai: All schools including private institutions had declared holidays on April 14 & 15 for Tamil New Year and Vishu-cum-Good Friday followed by government holidays.

A senior official from the School Education Department told DT NEXT on Friday that there were complaints from parents that their wards, who were to appear for board exams in private schools, were called to attend special classes since Thursday.

“In their complaints, parents specifically mentioned that they had sent their children to their respective native places due to long leave and that it was impossible for them to attend special classes at this point of time,” he added.

The official said all the complaints have been forwarded to the senior authorities in the Directorate of Matriculation Schools, and they’ll be taken seriously.

“A circular has been issued to all the private schools through the district education officers that action will be taken against the management of the institutions, which conducts special classes, especially during special holidays,” he said. “The district education officers have also been instructed to monitor the schools in this regard.”

The official pointed out that some private schools, which wants to boost the board exam results, have been conducting special classes on the weekdays too.

The Tamil Nadu Teachers Association president PK Ilamaran said, “Since summer season has already started, many southern states have already declared holiday on Saturdays. So the TN government should also consider providing leave for our students on Saturday.”

In contrast to the private institutions, teachers in government schools have urged the State government to declare holidays on Saturdays as most students continue to be absent on that day.