District education officials are set to hold a meeting on January 10 to finalize the school holiday calendar for the 2024-25 session, applicable to CBSE schools as well. While national and state holidays align across Maharashtra, local holidays vary from district to district. The impending calendar is eagerly awaited by schools to effectively plan their academic schedules.
According to media reports the meeting aims to collaborate with headmasters’ associations and other stakeholders to reach a consensus on the calendar. Given the extensive number of schools (around 4,000) in the district, the education department opts for the standard practice of consulting with various associations to streamline local holidays. A state board school principal highlighted that the discussions typically revolve around two or three local holidays, emphasizing that these meetings are streamlined and cooperative.
However, a CBSE school principal voiced concerns over potential changes to the holidays list, citing last-minute alterations in the previous year. The confusion primarily stems from discrepancies in the holiday lists issued by primary and secondary education officers, with only one or two holidays differing. This poses a challenge for CBSE schools, as their structure encompasses all grades from Std I (or lower) to at least Std X, unlike standalone primary schools affiliated with the state board. The expectation is that higher officials will address and resolve this issue within the next month.