Kolkata: City private schools not to prepone summer vacation

Private schools in the city have decided not to advance their summer vacation start date from May 13, unlike government-aided and sponsored schools, which are following a West Bengal government directive. Heatwave conditions are not prevailing in the state at present, according to authorities of private schools.

The government's notice was meant only for state-run and state-aided educational institutions. All schools suspended in-person classes for a week from April 16, in response to the government's directive after temperatures rose to about 40 degrees Celsius in south Bengal. Classes resumed once weather conditions improved, and the temperature dropped to about 35 degrees Celsius in the city and other areas of south Bengal.

However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the summer vacation would begin on May 2 for state-run and state-aided schools. Krishna Damani, Vice-chairman of South Point High School, confirmed that in-person classes resumed on April 23 and would continue till May 12. He said there is no possibility of suspending classes before the scheduled date, and the summer vacation for both sections will begin on May 13 and last for a month. Similarly, La Martiniere's secretary, Supriyo Dhar, confirmed that the boys' and girls' sections would begin their vacation from May 13.

The extreme heat conditions had previously forced schools to suspend in-person classes, but now the situation has improved. Madhumita Sengupta, Principal of B D M International School, said that they have no plans to prepone the summer vacation start date to the first week of May. However, if the situation turns very hot and humid, they may consider something for the primary section. In-person classes for the secondary and higher secondary levels will continue as scheduled until later this month when the vacation begins. A school education department official clarified that the May 2 vacation notice is not mandatory for private schools but recommends them to prepone the vacation days.