19 February,2014 07:14 AM IST | | Kranti Vibhute
Citing a government resolution of 2003, the department has sent a circular asking schools to celebrate the occasion by organising competitions, rallies and speeches on the life of Shivaji; has also asked for report of the activities
While authorities from the state education department will enjoy a mid-week holiday today, the birth anniversary of Maratha warrior king Shivaji, it has asked that schools remain open on the day to celebrate the occasion.
Students between Std V to Std X will have to attend school. Representation pic
All state government offices have a holiday today for Shivaji Jayanti. But, according to a letter sent by the secondary and higher secondary education department from Pune, schools have been asked to work today. This is applicable to students from Std V to Std X.
Sent on February 14, the letter states that as per a government resolution taken on February 12, 2003, and a request made by one Shivrajya Party on February 5 this year, an awareness rally be organised by schools.
Other suggested activities include essay-writing and elocution competitions, lectures on achievements of Shivaji and the different forts built by him, etc. The department has also asked for a report of the activities conducted today.
While some schools claim they have not received any such letter from the department, others have declared today as a non-instructional day children will be called to school to listen to speeches and take part in competitions to create awareness about Shivaji.
Department speaks
Sarjerao Jadhav, director of secondary and higher secondary education, Pune, said, "The General Resolution of the government has been there since 2003. The schools had to celebrate and remember the achievements of Shivaji Maharaj by creating awareness amongst the students. Some were doing it and some were not. So, we just reminded them by sending a circular."
