Students looking forward to some fun during their summer vacation after their annual exams may get very little time for enjoyment. Several schools in the city have cut short summer holidays to just a few weeks.
Students who are in high school have been told that they would get just over two weeks before classes resume. A few private schools have told parents that special classes would continue for Class 9 even after the board exams and would continue for over a week.
This is the situation in private schools, CBSE and ICSE schools. “My child has 20 days summer vacation as the school has asked them to come back early for a bridge course,” said Shambavi, a parent.
Private schools conduct additional classes for Class 9 students to prepare them for the Class 10 board exams.
Nagasimha G, a child rights activist, said the move will affect students’ performance. “The idea of giving a break is to make them feel refreshed. This helps students grasp better. In turn, their learning ability improves,” he added.
“Article 31 of the convention of rights of a child states that children have the right to relax and play and to join cultural, artistic and other recreational activities. With fewer holidays, there is little time for extracurricular activities,” he said.
Shashi Kumar D, general secretary, the Associated Management of Private Un-Aided English Medium Schools in Karnataka said this a violation.
“We are aware of schools giving just about 10 days holidays. It is a clear violation. The government should act upon it,” he said.
Ideally, he said, children should be given holidays from April 8 to May 28. “Even if you need special classes for public exams, in the best interest of the child, commencement of classes from May 15 is reasonable. Else, it is a violation of child rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, P C Jaffer, commissioner, department of public instruction said the department is yet to take a call on action against these schools.
“Last year, we asked some government school children to come to school, since in some areas, children are dependent on midday meals,” he said.