KOCHI: Parents of school-going children in the city can now heave a huge sigh of relief. For all aided and unaided schools here have decided to drop their plans to conduct summer classes and opted to suspend all academic activities for the summer vacations.
The schools have declared the holidays in abidance to the government order (GO) issued by the Department of General Education. The GO was issued after it was found many schools in the city were planning to conduct summer classes, in complete violation of the Kerala Child Rights Protection Commission notice.
Meena Kuruvilla, former member of Child Welfare Commission, Ernakulam, said every year, the Commission issued the notice banning the conduct of any summer classes during the vacation.
“The directives are given by the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) and every school has to abide by them. If any school conducts classes during the summer vacation time, its authorities will be liable for action,” she said.
As per the DPI’s instructions, schools in the city will reopen on June 1. In the case of Kendriya Vidyalayas, classes for the new academic year have started. But the classes will last just for a week and in any case, will not exceed 10 days.
Summer camps
The GO has permitted schools to conduct summer camps, provided they follow the guidelines. These guidelines are also issued every year, said Meena Kuruvilla.
“To conduct a summer camp, schools have to get the prior permission of the District Education Officer. They also have to ensure basic facilities like potable water, food, fan and toilets are available for the participants. The camp should not be held for more than seven days,” Kuruvilla said.
The officer who has to permit the school for holding the camp has to first visit the place and ensure the organisers are meeting all the requirements.