Teachers Of Odisha Primary Schools Demand Govt To Prepone Summer Vacation

Bhubaneswar: The primary schoolteachers in the state have demanded revision of school timing and preponement of summer vacation.

Taking exception to the state government announcement regarding the vacation, they said it would be difficult for the children to come to school to attend physical classes from 6 am and hence, the time of starting the classes should be changed to 6.30 am. Similarly, considering the fact that summer heat will peak in May, the vacation should be preponed by one month, they said.

“It seems those who are taking decisions don’t think practically. In order to reach the school by 6 am, a child has to get up at 5 am to be prepared for leaving for school, which will be difficult for him. We request the government to revise the school timing to 6.30 am,” TOI quoted Brahmanand Maharana, president of Odisha Primary Teachers’ Association, as saying.

The teachers also took strong exception to the notification of the School and Mass Education department on April 16, stating that the schools will remain closed due to summer vacation from June 6 to 16. The general secretary of the association, Bibhu Prasad Sahu, said it is common knowledge that the temperature across the state will be highest in May.

“In next few days, the temperature is likely to go up and by May, the summer will be at its peak. Besides teachers, the children will face health issues as they have to travel long distance in the scorching heat to come to school,” Sahu said.

Stating that the heat would have come down and monsoon arrived in Odisha in June, they said there is no point in allowing vacation in the month. Rather, it should be preponed to May for respite from heat, they added.

The association officials also demanded elective leave (EL) for the teachers for the extra work they are asked to do during the summer vacation. If the teachers of higher education can be granted EL for such work, why the primary schoolteachers should be deprived of it, they questioned.