Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Aug 11: The Dakshina Kannada district administration had declared 13 days of holidays to schools and colleges during the current monsoon season. To compensate for the lost class time, the education department is planning to hold full-day classes for 26 Saturdays.
Education department officials said, “For several years, Dakshina Kannada has been proactive in granting holidays during the monsoon. These holidays at the start of the academic year impact the lesson schedule. However, past efforts to compensate for this loss with additional classes have not been effectively implemented.”
The department is also considering full-day classes on Saturdays and, if necessary, half-day classes on Sundays for Pre-University (PU) colleges. Due to science stream students' training for CET, NEET, and JEE exams, there is resistance to Sunday classes. Some colleges have already begun full-day Saturday classes, while others are expected to decide soon.
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The District Education Officer (DDPU) noted, “SSLC and PUC are crucial stages of education. This year’s monsoon holidays could significantly impact these classes. Therefore, special classes will be held every day in the morning and evening for SSLC students. Schools have been instructed accordingly.”
For PU colleges, the department has advised conducting full-day classes on Saturdays and, if needed, half-day classes on Sundays.
In Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, college managements often start special classes before official instructions are issued to complete the syllabus. Despite the availability of online classes, many private institutions are focusing on physical classes for better effectiveness.
Education department officials stated that full-day Saturday classes will be implemented as soon as the rain subsides.
The rain holidays in Dakshina Kannada have varied by taluk, with some areas declaring additional holidays. Efforts will be made to balance these discrepancies, with adjustments beginning in September and continuing until the end of February. The state government may also consider reducing Dasara and Christmas holidays to compensate for the lost instructional time.