Schools open at 8 am, holiday notice at 10!

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, August 16

Chaos and confusion reigned supreme in more than 1,500 government schools of the district as the District Education Officer (DEO) signed a notification announcing a holiday nearly two hours after schools commenced today.

Hundreds of teachers, who had gathered yesterday at the Government College stadium on the instructions from the Education Department for the Independence Day celebrations, were eagerly awaiting Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s announcement of a holiday today. However, the CM did not announce any respite.

Teachers’ unions claimed that normally the chief guest declares a holiday for the next day during the celebrations. As there was no clarification, teachers left for their schools, some of which are located 25 km away from their respective residences.

DEO (secondary) Rakesh Bala signed a notification at 10 am declaring a holiday. By that time, teachers and students had already reached their schools. The DEO could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Teachers’ union leader Ashwani Fajjupur lashed out at the administration claiming that hundreds of teachers were made to suffer because of lack of communication.