THE Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has directed that all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools in Vidarbha will reopen on June 30, in accordance with the State School Education Department’s circular dated April 20, 2023. The order was passed on Wednesday by a division bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Raj Wakode while hearing a petition challenging the State Government’s decision to restart schools in Vidarbha on June 15. The court also quashed the Government circulars issued on March 28 and June 9, which had directed schools to start holding classes from June 15 and operate between 7 am and 11.45 am until June 30.

 

During the hearing, the bench observed that the issue had already been settled by earlier court orders. The judges noted that in 2007, the High Court had directed that schools in Vidarbha should reopen only after June 30 due to extreme summer conditions. The State Government had challenged that decision before the Supreme Court but later withdrew its petition.

 

The present petition was filed by Maharashtra State Primary Teachers’ Committee State President Vijay Kombe and Nagpur District President Leeladhar Thackeray. They argued that reopening schools on June 15 was unsafe and impractical as temperatures in Vidarbha often reach 42 to 45 degrees Celsius during June. The petitioners also pointed out that many students in rural areas walk three to five kilometres to school and would be exposed to severe heat while travelling. The High Court warned the State Government and education authorities that any violation of the court directions could invite contempt proceedings. While no contempt action has been initiated at present, the court made it clear that strict action may follow if such orders are ignored in the future. 

 

The petition relied heavily on the 2007 High Court judgment, which had directed that schools in Vidarbha should reopen only after June 30 because of the region’s intense summer heat. The State Government’s challenge to that ruling before the Supreme Court was later withdrawn.

 

Confusion seems to reign supreme whenever the Maharashtra Government announces school reopening dates, particularly for the Vidarbha region. What should have been a straightforward administrative decision has once again turned into a series of contradictory orders, leaving students, parents, teachers and school managements bewildered. Initially, the Government issued a circular stating that State Board schools across Maharashtra would reopen on June 15. Following objections from parents and school authorities in Vidarbha, who cited the region’s severe heatwave conditions, the Government revised its stand. The new order allowed schools in Vidarbha to reopen on June 15 but operate only during morning hours until June 29, after which regular timings would resume from June 30. The issue subsequently reached the High Court. Amid the legal proceedings, the School Education Department issued yet another circular on Tuesday.

 

This time, it announced that schools in Vidarbha would reopen on June 22, function in morning shifts until June 30, and return to regular timings from July 1. The frequent changes have created uncertainty at every level. Teachers point out that academic schedules are carefully planned and the syllabus must be completed within a stipulated timeframe. Repeated alterations in reopening dates disrupt lesson planning and academic calendars. Many teachers and families who had already planned vacations based on the original schedule have also been inconvenienced. What adds to the confusion is the differing approach towards various education boards.

 

While State Board schools in Vidarbha have been subjected to multiple changes in reopening dates, schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are proceeding with their original plans and are scheduled to reopen on June 15. This raises an obvious question: If the intense summer heat is considered a threat to students attending State Board schools, does it not affect students studying in CBSE institutions? The inconsistency highlights the absence of a uniform and well-thought-out policy. Educational administration requires clarity, consistency and timely decision-making. Frequent reversals not only create confusion but also undermine confidence in the system. The Government must evolve a transparent policy based on scientific weather assessments and educational requirements so that students, parents and teachers are spared such annual uncertainty.