Christian groups get back lost X'mas holidays

The state education department on Thursday has assured the Christian community groups that the cancellation of two holidays from the Christmas vacation will be reversed and schools will be allowed to adjust these days as per their own convenience.

The education department last week had announced two extra holidays for the Ganesh festival after the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) demanded an extended holiday. The two days were adjusted from the Christmas vacation.

The decision attracted flak from Christian groups like the Association of Concerned Catholics (AOCC). “We are not against two extra holidays for the Ganesh festival, but succumbing to pressure from a political group and cutting out holidays from our festival was not justified,” said AOCC secretary Judith Monteiro.

Monteiro had written to the education department on Tuesday expressing discontent and demanding that the cancellation of holidays be reversed.

On Thursday, representatives from the group met education officer Ravindra Bhise at the office of the vice-chairman of state minorities’ commission to demand that the cancellation be reversed. “It was decided that the earlier order, which stated that on December 30 and 31 schools should be working, would be withdrawn. Now, the Christian schools who were objecting to this order can, as per their convenience, adjust the two days of holidays,” said Janet D’Souza, vice-chairman of the state minorities’ commission.

Bhise could not be contacted for comment even after several attempts.

While schools welcomed the move, they are unhappy about the way their schedules were disrupted due to political pressure. “Often political parties interrupt the functioning of schools for their own interests. This is something that the education department must address at the earliest as the guardian of schools,” said the principal of a suburban school.