The Maharashtra Rajya Shikshan Sanstha Mahamandal has opposed continuing school classes upto April end. In a letter written to the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad and Commissioner, School Education, the organisation has demanded reconsidering the decision.
General Secretary of the Organisation Ravindra Fadnavis has stated that the decision of March 24, is illogical. The powers to decide period of session, conducting examinations and granting vacations is of District Collector. The decision is taken depending upon the geographical location, temperature and other atmospheric condition.
In the month of April the average temperature in Vidarbha and Marathwada is 40 degrees Celsius. Public Transport in rural and urban area is not available, in many schools in rural areas power cuts are experienced. Even making arrangements for drinking water becomes difficult.
In these conditions, holding classes during April and conducting examinations in May is very difficult.
Fadnavis has also quoted decision of the High Court, when the State Government in 2006 and 2007 had taken decision to conduct school sessions uniformly across the state. The High Court had stated that the health and safety of the students is involved and the State Government has failed to test the reasonableness on its decision.
The organisation has appealed to the government authorities to withdraw the decision of continuing with the academic session till April end.