BHUBANESWAR: Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi on Thursday issued a show cause notice to Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1 in the city for holding classes during the summer vacation.
Earlier, the State Government had extended the vacation till June 25 in view of prevailing heat wave conditions. However, the Central School was found to be holding classes during this period inviting ire from the SRC.
In his letter to the KV Principal, the SRC said by holding classes, the school has violated the Government order. "In utter violation of the direction of the State Government, your school continues to hold classes. As a result, young children have been compelled to travel in severe hot and humid conditions," Sethi said, adding such action might have serious implications on the life and health of the students and others.
The SRC has asked the Principal to reply within three days failing which action will be initiated against the school authorities as pe Section 51 (b) of the Disaster Management Act 2005 which says that whoever without reasonable cause refuses to comply with the direction of the Centre or the State will be punishable with imprisonment upto one year or fine or both.
The show-cause notice was served on the school after a section of media reported that KV 1 and a few other private schools were forcing the students to come to schools in the name of coaching. The KV 1 Principal, however, couldn't be reached for his comments.
Meanwhile, speaking to The Express on the issue, School and Mass Education Secretary Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said, "Schools can hold morning classes with special permission." If the school (KV-1) had obtained such permission and was holding classes between 6.30 am and 10.30 am, there may not be any problem, the SM&E Secretary added.