Gujarat Schools Affected by Rains Can Hold Classes on Holidays to Complete Syllabus

Officials from the state government’s education department have announced that schools in south Gujarat, particularly those affected by recent heavy rains and flooding, are permitted to function on holidays to complete their academic syllabus. The directive aims to mitigate the adverse impact of disrupted classes on students, with the state curriculum mandating 220 academic days annually.

This flexibility allows local administrations and schools to adjust their schedules, including holding classes on Saturdays or other public holidays, to meet the mandatory 120 working days for the first semester. The decision comes as several districts faced significant disruption, leading to school closures and concerns about students’ academic progress ahead of the first terminal exams scheduled for October 19-28.

Gujarat Schools: Syllabus Completion Priority Amid Rain Disruptions

Milind Torawane, Principal Secretary of the Education Department (Primary & Secondary Education), emphasised that completing the syllabus remains the top priority. He stated, “According to the state curriculum, there is a requirement for 220 academic days. Apart from the standard winter and summer breaks, the local administration can adjust the schedule based on local circumstances as completing the syllabus remains the priority.” Torawane clarified that there are no central directives mandating holiday classes, leaving it to schools to manage their academic activities based on local situations.

The recent heavy rains and associated flooding in south Gujarat districts such as Navsari, Valsad, Surat, Tapi, Bharuch, and Dang led to significant class disruptions. Schools in Valsad district, for instance, had to be closed, albeit not significantly, due to the flooding. Classes are particularly affected whenever a ‘red alert’ is issued for heavy rains, prompting the government to declare holidays, as seen on Thursday and Friday (unspecified dates) when schools and colleges in Ahmedabad were also closed.

Compensating for Lost Academic Days

District Education Officers (DEOs) of the six south Gujarat districts – Surat, Tapi, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, and Dang – have directed schools to make up for lost days by utilising public holidays. Surat District Education Officer Bhagirathsinh Parmar explained, “The education of students has been affected due to the heavy downpour and holidays declared on Thursday and Friday. In order not to make the students suffer, a decision has been taken to keep the school functioning in upcoming two public holidays.” Parmar added that schools have the discretion to choose which two holidays they will use, provided they intimate students in advance.

Nitin Sangwan, Collector of Valsad, reiterated that schools can hold classes on Saturdays, which are typically off-days, to compensate for lost time. He also confirmed that replacements for lost textbooks, announced by the Education Minister, have been distributed, with remaining ones to be delivered soon. Both private and government schools are free to conduct these special classes, and the district panchayat can issue directives if deemed necessary.

Impact of Heavy Rains and Relief Measures

The recent heavy downpour in south Gujarat not only disrupted education but also severely affected the local population. Several people were killed in rain-related incidents, and thousands were relocated or rescued due to the incessant downpour. Many roads in urban and rural areas of the region were also affected, further complicating school attendance.

Many students in Surat city and district areas were unaware of the declared holiday and reached school, highlighting the sudden nature of the disruptions. In Ahmedabad, children from a school had to be rescued from a bus stranded in floodwaters on Thursday. The education department has ensured that students who lost their textbooks due to the flooding have received replacements, with Milind Torawane confirming, “Textbooks have been redistributed based on information received from the districts regarding the damage.”

Gujarat Academic Schedule Requirements

To ensure compliance with the state curriculum and timely completion of the syllabus, schools are advised to adhere to the following academic schedule requirements:

The flexibility granted to schools aims to ensure that the academic year progresses smoothly despite unforeseen weather events, safeguarding students’ learning outcomes before the first terminal exams and the subsequent Diwali vacation until November 18.

Written by Aayush Kukreja

Aayush is a writer and content strategist who turns personal stories into brand narratives. With an experience spanning diverse industries, rely on his writing for simplifying complex subjects & get in-depth insights - always with sharp wit.

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