Jharkhand Schools to Remain Closed on Raksha Bandhan, Sports Events Shifted to August 27

Government, government-aided and private schools across Jharkhand will remain closed on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan following a change in the state Education Department's earlier directive.

The department has shifted the date of the 'Khelega Bharat–Jeetega Bharat' sports programme by one day. Project Director Shashi Ranjan has directed all district education officers and district education superintendents to organise sports competitions in schools on August 27 instead of August 28.

Earlier order had asked schools to open on Raksha Bandhan

Under an earlier order issued by School Education and Literacy Department Secretary Umashankar Singh, schools had been asked to remain open for an hour, from 9 am to 10 am, on August 28 despite the Raksha Bandhan holiday. Sports and other activities for students were to be conducted during this period.

The revised order has now cancelled the school-opening requirement for August 28. Students will instead participate in sports activities on August 27 under the 'Khelega Bharat–Jeetega Bharat' campaign.

Activities to continue on August 29 and 30

The three-day campaign was planned from August 28 to 30 in connection with National Sports Day. Following the change, activities in Jharkhand schools will begin on August 27 and continue on August 29 and 30 as scheduled.

August 30 falls on a Sunday, but schools will remain open for the planned activities. The latest directive, however, does not clarify whether teachers will receive compensatory leave for attending school on the Sunday.

Decision follows objections from teachers and parents

The earlier decision to open schools on Raksha Bandhan had drawn objections from teachers and parents, particularly over the instruction to keep schools open from 9 am to 10 am on the festival.

With the sports programme now being brought forward to August 27, schools will remain closed on Raksha Bandhan, providing relief to students, teachers and parents who had raised concerns over the earlier arrangement.

The revised schedule also allows the state to conduct the sports activities while maintaining the holiday for Raksha Bandhan.
 

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