Himachal Pradesh declares August 17 holiday for government schools

Himachal Pradesh government schools will remain closed on August 17 as a compensatory holiday after students and teachers attended Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Private schools can decide whether to observe the holiday.

In Short

• All government schools in Himachal Pradesh closed on August 17
• Holiday is compensatory for Independence Day participation
• Private schools can decide holiday based on participation

All government schools in Himachal Pradesh will remain closed on Monday, August 17, as a compensatory holiday for students and teachers who participated in Independence Day celebrations on August 15.

The decision follows instructions issued by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday. The Directorate of School Education had earlier directed all government schools in the state to remain open on August 15 for Independence Day celebrations.

HOLIDAY ANNOUNCED AFTER INDEPENDENCE DAY PARTICIPATION

A notification issued late Saturday evening stated that August 17 would be observed as a holiday in all government schools across Himachal Pradesh.

The holiday has been granted in view of the participation of students and teachers in Independence Day programmes held at various levels, including schools, subdivisions, districts and the state level.

The Directorate's July 29 notification had stated that government schools would function on August 15 to mark the national celebration.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS CAN DECIDE

The state government has kept the decision regarding the compensatory holiday open for private schools.

According to another notification, private schools that conducted Independence Day celebrations on their premises or participated in state- or district-level functions can decide at their own level whether to observe a holiday on August 17.

The move comes after students and teachers from government schools participated in programmes organised to commemorate India's Independence Day. While government schools will follow the state-directed holiday, private institutions have been given the flexibility to decide based on their participation in the celebrations.

(With PTI inputs)

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