Given the ongoing spell of severe cold weather, Chandigarh is considering extending the school holidays by another week, the school education department confirmed on Friday. Previously, schools were closed until January 14 for grades up to VIII, and the school education department is considering another extension until January 21.
The decision on whether schools will be closed until Class VIII or Class V has yet to be made. The exact order will be released soon.
“Yes, we are considering extending the school holidays. The Director of School Education, HPS Brar, told The Ultimate News that the decision on how long the holidays would last would be made soon.
The education department also received a letter from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which stated that one of the “core areas in which the commission has been taking active steps” is the safety and security of schoolchildren.
“In recent days, the Commission has observed that severe cold weather conditions are becoming a source of concern for children in schools, particularly in states where the cold weather reaches levels that may be unsafe for children. Children of a tender age require special care both at school and while traveling. As a result, the NCPCR recommends reviewing school calendars and timetables and making appropriate decisions based on weather conditions.
The state/UT governments should also ensure that no child suffers in schools or while commuting to and from school as a result of authorities’ and school management’s decisions during extreme weather, according to the NCPCR.