Twitter
Advertisement

Online essay competition on December 25: Participate from home, and only if you wish

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

It was confusion of the worst order, and the Union human resources development ministry (MHRD) was forced to issue a clarification to clear the air.

According to the news report, CBSE schools were expected to hold an online essay competition as part of the birthday celebrations of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Hindu Mahasabha leader Madan Mohan Malviya on December 25. It in effect meant, these schools would have to function on the day, which as per the school calendar is during Christmas holidays.

MHRD immediately issued a clarification on CBSE schools website that no school would have to remain open on Dec 25, and that students could participate in the online essay competition on Dec 24 and 25 from homes or any other place.

The circular to celebrate birthdays of Vajpayee and Malviya by observing the day as 'good governance day' was issued only to Union government-run Navodaya Vidyalayas, and not CBSE schools. But that created the confusion as to whether schools would have to function on Christmas eve and Christmas day.

Navodaya Vidyalayas that received the circular, passed it on to other Navodaya Vidyalayas in rural areas. However, the circular was not sent to CBSE schools.

Dipshikha Srivastava, principal, Rajhans Vidyalaya (CBSE), said: "What I have come to know is that children can participate in the essay writing competition from home. So there is no problem. We have not yet received any circular in this regard. I think the government is still thinking about it."

The principal of Ramsheth Thakur Public School, Kharghar (CBSE), said: "I have not seen any such circular. But even if they wish to celebrate anything like that at the school level, it will not be possible as we have already declared holidays on these days. If students can participate from home, then it won't be a problem."

The circular on CBSE website says CBSE has not directed any school to remain open on Dec 25. All schools will follow their vacation schedule. The instruction is only to conduct an online essay competition on Dec 24 and 25, and it's voluntary. It says CBSE has neither issued any such circular (on its website) nor instructed schools to remain open on Dec 25. For the event, no CBSE official is required to come to office. The essays will be received online at a specified time. Students can participate from their homes or any place which has online access.

Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) are residential schools and their vacation pattern depends on climatic conditions (of the places they are located). Students in those JNVs that do not have winter breaks can celebrate Dec 25 (as Vajpayee's birthday) and students can take part in the essay competition if they wish. But for students in JNVs that have a public holiday on Dec 25, they can, if they wish, take part in the competition from home or any other place place that has online access.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement