Schools in UP will close on Sundays and other holidays, and the state government has revoked an earlier directive

The Department of Basic Education in Uttar Pradesh has modified its initial directive and informed that all government-run primary and upper primary schools in the state will now remain closed on Sundays and other holidays like Janmashtami and Chehlum during the ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ due to opposition from the teachers’ association.

The cleanliness fortnight, or Swachhata Pakhwada, will be observed in schools from September 1 to September 15. The most recent announcement, sent out on August 25 by Vijay Kiran Anand, Director General of Basic Education, said that activities that were previously planned for Sundays or other holidays would now take place the following day.

The earlier directive, however, said that since the education department had assigned daily tasks to be fulfilled in the schools, UP schools would have to be open on two Sundays—Janmashtami and Chehlum festivals.

The proposal to keep UP schools open on Sundays has already drawn criticism from the Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers Association. Dinesh Chandra Sharma, president of the Uttar Pradesh Shikshak Mahasangh, said that instructors were people, not automatons who would turn up when needed.

“The Indian Constitution guarantees everyone’s right to freedom of religion. On Janmashtami, Chehlum, or even on Sundays, we won’t be open. According to Dinesh Chandra Sharma, the department should alter the schedule for the benefit of both instructors and students.

The UP Teachers’ Association then said that the department’s practice of issuing an order to open schools at strange hours had become customary.

WHAT IS CLEANLINESS FORTNIGHT OR SWACHHATA PAKHWADA?

The school management committee, parents, and teachers will gather in the first week of the fortnightly drive to discuss the importance of cleanliness and hand washing, the use of masks, and social isolation among the participants, in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the UP education department.

– It is important to promote excellent hygiene practices among teachers, students, and members of the community both at school and at home.

– Teachers should keep an eye on the restrooms at each school or institution.

– Water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities should be quickly evaluated, and if required, a proposal or plan for their upkeep and repair must be created.

– Schools must hold contests for having clean facilities including bathrooms.

– Essay, slogan, and poetry competitions for pupils in school, as well as writing and art competitions, discussions, and assessments, must be organized.

– The district’s website, schools, and basic education department all have spaces where messages on cleanliness may be displayed. Additionally, there must be pictures of cleanliness around the institution.

– Children should be taught a habit of cleanliness by their teachers and the administration of the school.

– By according to the established rules, all waste materials, such as sanitary waste, worn-out and abandoned masks, broken furniture, useless equipment, damaged automobiles, etc., should be totally removed from school premises.