The number of COVID-19 cases is gradually increasing all over the country, and it has become very difficult for state governments to control the spread of COVID-19 infections. In light of the global pandemic, various states have closed down schools and educational institutions. The board exams have also been either cancelled or postponed. Several states have decided to grant early summer vacations to schools.
The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi had previously announced that summer vacations for the government, government aided, and private unaided schools would be observed form April 20, 2021, to May 11, 2021. However, the adverse COVID-19 situation in the national capital has forced the authorities to reschedule the summer vacation for the academic session 2021-22 till June 9, 2021. The Delhi government further said that all online and semi-online teaching and learning activities of private schools will be suspended during the summer vacation from April 20 to June 19.
As per the official order of the DoE, although the summer vacation has been advanced due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, many private unaided recognized schools are adopting online learning methods in one way or another. These online classes are substituting physical classroom learning activities without any break.
The DoE has issued directions, which say that all private schools must suspend all online and semi-online teaching and learning activities during the mentioned period of summer vacation. However, as per the orders, the schools can conduct vacation-related specific activities, remedial classes for certain students, and other activities which enhance the creativity, happiness, and the overall growth of the students without calling them to school physically.
To ensure that the students are protected from the spread of the COVID-19 infection, various other states have also announced summer vacations in advance. Recently, the Haryana government had declared summer vacations of schools in the state till May 31, 2021. Earlier, West Bengal had also declared summer vacation in advance for government schools owing to the serious COVID-19 scenario in the state.
