New Delhi: The Delhi government today said it is mulling over a proposal to ask schools to remain shut between January 1 and 15, the period of implementation of its odd-even formula.
The idea, the government said, was in view of the “convenience of the 26 lakh school children” that formed “a huge base of stakeholders” in the decision.
However, a two-week old circular issued by the Delhi government's School Branch of the Directorate of Education, contradicts its claims, at least in this respect.
Ironically, the circular, dated November 27, 2015, already states that schools will remain closed from December 25, 2015 to January 15, 2016.
“The schools will remain closed for Winter Break from 25th December 2015 to 15th January 2016 for Primary Classes and from 31st December 2015 to 15th January 2015 for students of classes VI-XII,” the Nov 27 circular addressed to all heads of government schools and signed by Sunita S Kaushik, Additional Director of Education (School), reads.
The circular goes completely against the claims made by the Delhi government today. Delhi's deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had today said that a proposal to ask schools to remain shut during the two-week period when Delhi tests the odd-even formula was under consideration by the government.
“A proposal for asking schools to remain closed between January 1 and 15, the period of implementation (of the odd-even scheme) has come before us. The proposal is under consideration and we are consulting schools to see if this is workable,” Sisodia said today.
“There are 26 lakh school children in Delhi, which constitute a big base of our stakeholders. We have to keep their convenience in mind,” the Deputy CM had added.
Going by the deputy CM's comments, it appears as though the government totally overlooked a circular issued by one of its own departments. If that is the case, the government should take leaf from the circular and devote its time to more pressing concerns of Delhi's people.
