Girls raise red card as Pune schools declare holiday

Pune: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. A few city schools are walking the talk. They’ve declared Monday a holiday, so that students can watch the FIFA world cup final on Sunday night and make up for lost sleep the next day.The day-off, however, has a rider and a gender.The rider: students and staff will have to attend the school the next Saturday to compensate for the missed classes. The gender: it’s masculine as only boys’ schools are declaring a holiday. Taking the lead is St Vincent’s High School, former inter-school champions.

Savio Fernandes, an eighth standard student, is excited because the holiday will enable the students to watch the match, even if it has an ‘extra innings’ or two.“We have been given a holiday on Monday and now we can watch the match and even the presentation ceremony, which might go on till the wee hours of Monday,” he said.

Even parents are glad. Said Merlin D’Souza, “It’s a relief for us parents, especially mothers. I can have an extended weekend and I will not miss the final,” she said.For Bishop’s School, one of the city schools that ranks topmost in sports – annual day celebrations have come in handy. Since the celebrations fell on a Friday, the school declared a holiday on Monday.For the students, though, it’s a FIFA holiday. “No matter what’s the reason, I can watch the entire match and don’t have to worry about school the next day. I am excited,” said Parph Rangarajan, an eight standard student of Bishop’s.The gender bias, however, is the only spoilsport. “We we want to watch the match, too, and don’t mind sacrificing another holiday,” said Ashmita Bhosale, a ninth standard student of a girl’s school.“This is unfair. Why should only boys have all the fun?” she said.Point. That calls for a red card. Is FIFA listening?