CBSE tones down plan for its schools on Christmas Day

MUMBAI: After the uproar over a proposal to mark ' good governance day' through events that could have meant schools remaining open on Christmas Day, the CBSE has issued cautious circulars announcing much watered down activities.

In two circulars announcing essay competitions on Monday, the Central Board of Secondary Education states right up front that "participation is voluntary" and makes it clear that schools need not remain open on December 25. "...thus willing students may submit their entries from home or any other place which provides online access".

The move comes after TOI highlighted a December 10 circular issued by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, asking its schools to hold programmes on Christmas Day. It had triggered protests from MPs and religious groups.

The Samiti had said the day would be observed as 'good governance day' to mark the birthday/anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Hindu Mahasabha leader Madan Mohan Malaviya. After the uproar, a letter dated December 15 on the Navodaya Vidyalaya website had overwritten the earlier instructions and asked the schools to wait for the CBSE circular.

Monday's circulars said students may write essays on age-appropriate topics to be given on two themes: Education for Future Development on December 24 on the eve of the birth anniversary of Malaviya; and Good Governance on December 25 to commemorate Vajpayee's birthday.

The board has allowed students to submit entries through links to be made available on the CBSE academic website and through mobile phones using the messaging app, WhatsApp.

Word, however, might not reach all students because most city schools are shut for the Christmas break starting Monday. "We do not know about the expression series since normally the school informs us about these competitions. Monday was the last day of school (before Christmas break)," said Shikha Sood, mother of Sanskriti, who was the winner of a recent expression series on cleanliness.

The series might see low participation due to the break. "Our students have been told about the expression series, but many may not be participating as most of them will be travelling during the vacation," said Avnita Bir, principal, R N Podar School, Santacruz.