No Holiday on Independence Day & Republic Day for Schools: Here's Why

Kerala’s Department of General Education has decided to replace traditional celebrations of Independence Day (August 15) and Republic Day (January 26) with educational sessions in schools. Instead of hoisting flags, distributing sweets, and allowing early dispersal, the department aims to educate students about India's freedom struggle and historical significance through classroom lessons. As a result, no holidays will be granted on these patriotic days, ensuring that students engage in meaningful activities.

This strategy is not limited to Independence Day and Republic Day. The department is also considering incorporating Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) and other significant days into the academic calendar. The objective is to maintain the required number of instructional days while providing students with valuable knowledge about the country’s history and values.

Khader Committee Recommendations Implemented

The Khader Committee had earlier proposed utilizing national holidays for educational purposes instead of declaring them as holidays. According to the committee’s recommendations:

• Classes I to V: 200 working days with 800 study hours.
• Classes VI to VIII: 220 working days with 1,000 study hours.

These guidelines align with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which mandates minimum instructional days only up to class VIII.

While achieving 200 working days for lower primary (LP) classes is manageable, upper primary (UP) and high schools face challenges in meeting the 220-day requirement. Currently, Kerala schools average around 195 working days, prompting the need for solutions to bridge the gap.

Proposal to Introduce Saturday Classes for Additional Study Days

To address this issue, a committee has been formed to explore potential solutions. One suggestion includes utilizing Saturdays for academic purposes without extending the week to six consecutive working days. This change could add up to seven additional study days in the next academic year, helping schools meet the required instructional days effectively.

Key Highlights:

• No holidays on Independence Day (August 15) and Republic Day (January 26) for Kerala schools.
• Educational sessions to replace traditional celebrations, focusing on India's history and patriotism.
• The approach may extend to Gandhi Jayanti and other national days.
• Aim to achieve 200-220 working days for different class levels as per the Right to Education Act.
• A proposal to introduce Saturday classes to increase study hours.

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Published date : 25 Mar 2025 11:36AM