Mumbai Education Department Extends Diwali Vacation; Schools to Reopen on November 22

Source: Times of India

Schools in Mumbai not participating in the nation-wide survey of students learning achievements can continue their Diwali vacation till November 22, stated an education department circular issued on Wednesday. However, the 292 schools in Mumbai that have been selected for the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 will reopen on Thursday.

The state had curtailed the vacation and directed schools to reopen on Thursday—a day before the survey to be conducted on Friday.

Across the state, though, confusion over reopening continued till late on Wednesday. Earlier, in a circular dated November 3, the state had left it to schools to adjust the pending Diwali holidays with Christmas or summer vacations. “It made no sense to reopen schools not participating in the survey,” said Shivnath Darade, secretary, Maharashtra Rajya Shikshan Samiti, who was fighting for the Diwali vacation.

With schools being told to ensure 100% attendance for the survey, parents are being pressured to send children to school. In the state, though, schools had reopened for classes 5 to 12 in rural areas and 8 to 12 in urban with parental consent.

For the survey, parents are being told it is mandatory to be in school on Thursday and Friday.

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