No CBSE order asking schools to remain open on X'Mas Day: Government

NEW DELHI: Government today said in Lok Sabha there is no CBSE circular asking schools to remain open on December 25 to observe 'Good Governance Day' and an online essay competition to mark the day is voluntary in nature.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said HRD Minister Smriti Irani and the HRD Secretary have informed him that there is no CBSE circular asking schools to remain open on Christmas Day.

He said Navodaya Schools are already on Christmas break. Students of residential schools, which would be open, were free to participate in the essay competition on December 24. "It is voluntary in nature. It is not mandatory. There is no question of using force," he told the Lower House.

Naidu said the winter holiday schedule will remain and there are no changes in it.

He said the media should be careful before reporting. "All schools closed for X'Mas, essay competition only online," Irani had tweeted earlier.

A circular issued by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti had last week stated that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday will be celebrated as 'Good Governance Day' and asked all the JNVs to "ensure" celebration of the day.

It said CBSE would also be organising competitions under CBSE expression series on good governance on December 24 and 25 and it was open to all schools under the Board.