Even Shivaji Maharaj will be disappointed

Students and school authorities had to undergo inconvenience due to delay on the part of Education department to forward a circular that schools will remain open for paying tributes to Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Several schools in the city remained shut while many others observed a half day as the Shiv Jayanti was marked as a holiday in the school register. School authorities were unable to inform students to remain present on Shiv Jayanti due to delay in receipt of the circular from the Education department.

Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Department from Pune released a circular asking the schools to remain open on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti. Students studying in 5th standard to eighth started were expected to remain present yesterday. On the other hand, the Education department observed a holiday.

When AV contacted Sangeeta Shrivastav, Principal of Sardar Vallabbhai Patel School from Kandivali (W) she said, “We received a circular from Education department to keep the school open on 17th February for celebrating Shiv Jayanti. Since we received the circular late hence we observed a half day. We paid tributes to the warrior but students were asked to go home in the afternoon due to poor attendance.”

A principal from another school spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and criticised the Education department for the goof up. He said, “The Education department is responsible for issuing a late circular to the school. Parents and students are aware that schools remain close on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti. We were unable to inform students that school will remain open hence many of them remained absent.”

After the receipt of the circular many schools asked students to remain present yesterday to celebrate the birth anniversary of Shivaji. However, very few students attended schools and some other left home early.

Sachin Vishwakarma, an eighth standard student from Shree Raghuveer English High School said, “Earlier students were informed that the schools will remain closed on account of Shiv Jayanti hence remained absent. However, I learnt that the school remained open to pay tributes to Shivaji Maharaj and half day was observed.”

Parents are blaming the school authorities for the inconvenience caused to students. A parent spoke to us on the condition of anonymity and said, “It’s the responsibility of the school officials to inform students about the working day. Students only have to suffer due to the lackadaisical attitude of the school officials.”