MUMBAI: The education department on Friday revised
Diwali vacation dates
from November 7-20 after protests by teachers in the state. The department had earlier announced a five-day break.
Teachers' groups had demanded that the department announce dates for Diwali vacations. Teachers had complained that they had not got a break ever since
online classes
began in March as the Covid-19 lockdown began. But the department, in a circular on Thursday, announced a break only from November 12-16. Schools were told to suspend online classes and not hold exams during that period.
The decision was criticised by teachers.
Maharashtra Shikshak Parishad members on Friday clicked photographs with black masks in protest.
Similarly, Shikshak Bharati, another teachers' group, wrote to government requesting a review.
University of Mumbai Academic Staff Association (UMASA) wrote to the vice-chancellor to extend holidays for teachers and staff, and protested against the decision of giving a seven-day break.
Mumbai University had declared vacations from November 12-18. In a letter to the authorities, UMASA's head said, "University teachers worked relentlessly during the pandemic and smoothly and successfully conducted online lectures and carried out examination work. UMASA sought an extension of Diwali vacations till November 27."