August 17, 2026 03:38 am (IST)
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No directive to keep schools open on Christmas: Govt
New Delhi, Dec 15 (IBNS): Refuting media reports that CBSE schools might have to remain open on Christmas Day, Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Monday said no such directive was issued by the government.
The Ministry in a statement said a section of media has given a distorted impression.
"A section of Media has given a distorted impression that schools have been asked to remain open on 25th December, 2014," the Ministry said.
"This is to clarify that CBSE has not directed any school to remain open on 25th December, 2014. All schools will follow their vacation schedule including vacation /holiday on 25th December as specifically clarified by CBSE," the statement said.
The proposed instructions of the CBSE are to conduct an online essay competition on 24th and 25th December which is completely voluntary. CBSE has neither issued any circular on its website nor issued any instruction to any school for remaining open on 25th December 2014, the ministry stated.
"Even the CBSE as an office will remain closed as a public holiday on 25th December on account of Christmas Day. For the event of online essay competitions on that day, no official of CBSE is required to come to office for specifically conducting essay competition as the essays will be received online through the specified time schedule," it said.
The online essay competition is voluntary and the students if they so desire can participate from their homes or any other place which provides online access.
"Navodaya Schools are residential schools. As the vacation pattern in JNVs depend on climatic conditions, the 25th of December 2014 will be celebrated in those schools which do not have any winter break. In such schools, since it is a public holiday on 25th December, the schools will also remain closed that day as no classes would be held," the HRD ministry stated.
"As a residential school, however, the school functions as children continue to remain there and these children will have the opportunity to participate if they so wish in the essay competition. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti has clarified that no other activities for this competition are being held except the opportunity to submit their essays online voluntarily," it said.
Kendriya Vidyalayas, the government said, are observing vacations during that period and hence all schools will remain closed.
This comes after media reports published in a national daily said that the HRD ministry was mulling to celebrate the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as ‘good governance day’ on December 25.
The celebration could also include getting the students to school to participate in the essay competition and other activities, the report mentioned.
Former Prime Minister of India Vajpayee will turn 90 this year on December 25.
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