The essence of international schools is catering to multiple cultures.
The essence of international schools is catering to multiple cultures. On Independence Day, however, most international schools in the city remained closed, postponing the celebrations to the day when they reopen. The schools, who celebrated the day, organised low-key events.
“The summer break is on currently and the schools are all set to open during the week. The celebrations will be held after that,” said an official from an international school.
Bangalore International School, Canadian International School and others who are not in session yet, will celebrate the day only when they reopen.
New Baldwin International School held celebrations, albeit only for the staff.
However, the fact is that international school students opt to do their further studies abroad. If that is the case, where is the patriotic spirit and sense of pride?
“Celebrations at schools must be held in a manner in which students voluntarily feel like being a part of it. There are so many students who haven’t even heard of our freedom fighters,” he said.
“I think that at a junior level, may be until Class 10, it should be compulsory for students to participate in the Independence Day celebrations. Only then will the younger generation be aware of the freedom struggle,” said entrepreneur Captain GR Gopinath.
Schools are not training students to be Indian citizens, rued writer UR Ananthamurthy. “In fact, schools feel that they are not in this country; they live like they are in another. Instead of making children true Indian citizens with an international outlook, this is what the situation is,” he said, adding that all important dates in history should be celebrated.
“I have very strong views on this issue and I think legal action against the management should be taken,” said Ananthamurthy.
Elite schools are following suit and even though in session, these schools made it optional for students to attend the mini-celebrations on Monday, since they had conducted them on Friday or would do so during the week. Students of those schools, where exams are to set to begin, preferred to stay at home and study.
Schools violated orders that that all educational institutions should celebrate and involve students in Independence Day celebrations. At most schools, where it was optional, only a handful of students showed up for hoisting the national flag.
The flag hoisting at Sophia High School was done with two-three students on Monday, while the actual celebrations were held in a special assembly on Friday. “We just had a few sports teachers and students here, since we had already completed the celebrations,” said an official at the school.
At others, just the boarders took part in the celebrations. “It wasn’t compulsory for students to be a part of it. In fact, even though I’m a boarder and was out for the weekend, I was the only one to come from outside for the celebrations,” said a student.
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