BMC's education department issues circular to extend academic year till April 27, ruining holiday plans of 8 lakh primary school students in the city

The nail-biting wait for summer vacations just got longer as a circular issued by the BMC's education department has asked primary schools to complete "continuous comprehen- sive evaluation" between April 5 and 27.
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BMC's education officer says the extension of the academic year is part of the improved education policy designed to raise the standards and quality of education

This means around eight lakh students will have to attend classes regularly even after their annual exam gets over on April 9 and summer vacation starts.

Some of the city schools received the circular on Monday, 18 days after it was issued, while many are still unaware of it.
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Though no student will be detained till Std VIII as per the Right to Education Act, the revised schedule can be a shock for lakhs of students who are eagerly waiting for the end of academic year by the second week of April.

Usually, annual exams get over by mid-April and students need not attend classes thereafter. Teachers are busy during that period for the preparation of final results.

But the latest circular (copy with MiD DAY) by the BMC has surprised all. According to the education department, this is an exercise to improve education standards.

Abasaheb Jadhav, education officer of the BMC, said, "Students will have to attend schools between April 5 and 27 for the final evaluation of the year.

However, this should not be viewed in a negative light as this is a part of improved education policy designed to raise the standards and quality of education."

Incidentally, Teachers' Union is also singing the education department's tune. Union leader Ramesh Joshi said, "The evaluation process should be welcomed by all as it is meant to improve the quality of education.

Unfortunately, the positive aspects of the revised education policy are not conveyed to teachers and students."

School administrations are yet to decide on implementation and execution of the evaluation process. Abha Dharampal, Principal of Utpal Shanghvi School, Juhu, said, "We haven't received any such circular as yet.

But this can upset our students since many of them have planned their vacations from the third week of April. However, we will plan next course of action once we receive the circular."

Manjur Ahmed, president of Head Masters' Association and principal of Anjuman Khairul Islam Boys School, said, "We haven't received the circular so far, but we welcome the move.

This is part of the new education policy as per the Right to Education Act."

But the schools, which have received the circular, haven't announced the revised schedule to students as yet.

Mugdha Phanase, principal of Kumud Vidya Mandir's primary section, said, "Students will have to attend the schools till April 27 for oral exams.

More than 50 students, who have already applied for railway concessions for travelling, will have to postpone their trips."

The primary section of the school yesterday announced the extension of academic year.

BMC's stand
Abasaheb Jadhav, education officer of the BMC