Diwali break for schools from November 2; primary reopens Nov 18, secondary a day later

The Diwali break for schools under the state board has been announced. Schools will close from November 2. As in previous years, students will get about 15 days off for Diwali, but this time the break for primary and secondary schools differs by one day.

According to the information available, the break for primary schools will run from November 2 to 17, which is 15 days. For secondary schools it will run from November 2 to 18, so they will stay shut for a total of 16 days. Primary schools will reopen on November 18 and secondary schools on November 19, a gap of one day.

The confusion recurs every year. Teachers' organisations have repeatedly demanded that the break for primary and secondary schools begin on the same day. The different dates cause confusion among parents and teachers. If one child in a family studies in a primary school and another in a secondary school, the two breaks end on different days. Even so, the government has kept a one-day difference this year as well.

Schools have two long breaks a year, the summer break and the Diwali break. But the Diwali break is the favourite of most. Firecrackers, new clothes and trips make children look forward to it eagerly.

Despite the break being announced, there is no respite for teachers and students. As soon as the break ends, the first summative assessment and the half-yearly examination will begin. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has said that the summative assessment is to be held in the last week of November. This means the examination will be held within 8 to 10 days of schools reopening.

SCERT will conduct the examination in three subjects: mathematics, English and Marathi. The school will itself conduct the examinations in the remaining subjects. Students will therefore have to study during the Diwali break along with enjoying it. Teachers also have a heavy workload. On returning from the break, they will have to set the papers, evaluate them and enter the marks.

What are parents planning? As the break begins on November 2, many families have planned to visit their native villages or go on trips. Diwali falls somewhat late this year, so the cold weather will have set in. With a 15-day break, long journeys can be planned. But parents should remember that children should also keep up with their studies during the break, as the examination comes right after schools reopen. If the entire break is spent only playing and looking at phones, there will be a rush later.

In all, schools will be closed from November 2 to 17 or 18, 15 days for primary and 16 days for secondary. But as soon as the break ends, students will have to get back to studying.