Most Ahmedabad schools to remain closed

It would be a second consecutive holiday for children in Ahmedabad as most of the schools have decided to remain closed today, because of a nationwide bandh announced by political parties.

Parties will be holding demonstrations to protest the union government’s decisions to hike diesel prices and to allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.  

Most schools in the city have decided to remain closed, even as many of the parents of their own will are against sending their children to school. Association of school van owners have also declared that they will be observing the bandh.

Dharmendra Brahmabhatt, president of Ahmedabad School Van Association, said, “We have decided not to work out of concern for students’ safety. No school van will operate today due to bandh so as to avoid any threat to safety of students. Many schools have also decided to remain closed.”

Some schools like DPS, GLS, St. Kabir, CN Vidhyalaya, Maharaja Agrasen Vidhyalaya, HB Kapadia, R H Kapadia have decided to remain closed not only because of the bandh, but also because of the Parana day of the Paryushan festival.

“We have a significant number of Jain students in our school. Many of our students fast during Paryushan, so we have decided to declare a holiday on the day of Parana (day of breaking fast),” said Managing Trustee of Nirman School Aashish Desai.

Director of CN Vidyavihar, TJ Purani, also said that there would be a holiday because of the Paryushan festival. However, there are some schools which have not decided whether to remain closed or not because of the bandh call.

Principal of St. Xavier’s School Loyola Hall, Father Fernand Durai SJ, said, “We are yet to decide about keeping our school closed on September 20. We haven’t taken any decision as it depends on the situation on September 20.”

Kirit Joshi, Principal of Diwan Ballubhai School, said, “We will remain open tomorrow. We are not going to close our school. If students reach school, we will hold classes as well.” Meanwhile, Eklavya School will be closed on Thursday, but will have classes on scheduled holiday for Saturday.