Schools claim they did not receive instructions in time from the education department to observe day; many schools mark Har Ghar Tiranga campaign
School students observe the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. FILE PIC
The Department for School Education and Sports on late Wednesday (August 13) sent a letter to all education officials, directing them to check that the schools across the city observe the ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ on Thursday (August 14). However, many schools claimed that they did not receive any such instruction.
“It is necessary for students to learn about the historical and painful reality of India’s partition in 1947. To create awareness among students and instill the values of unity, harmony, and equality, it has been informed through a reference letter about the celebration of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in all primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools in Maharashtra from 14th August 2025,” reads the letter.
“It is not possible to organise such an event at the last minute. It is a sensitive topic, and the educators need time to devise a lesson plan,” said a principal of a private aided school. The principal said that they were following the previous circular which they received earlier in August for the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.
For the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, the students visited ex-army men and learnt about the operations of armed forces. The students also participated in a morning procession (prabhat pheri) and took part in poster competitions, reciting the pasayadan, among other activities chalked out for this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
The civic-run schools were able to get hold of the instructions early on Thursday, and some even observed the day during the school assemblies. “It was important for the secondary school students to familiarise themselves with the crucial part of our independence history,” said a BMC official. Another principal of a private aided school in South Mumbai said that they did not receive timely instructions for observing the ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’. The principal also found that the move may lead students to take things in the wrong spirit.
“The horrors of the partition persisted for long; what could be the reason to commemorate them after 78 years? It’s important that our students, especially the young ones, are taught to look ahead to become better citizens of the country,” said the principal. Speaking to mid-day, an official from the Department for School Education and Sports said, “The department received these instructions only on Wednesday, and the letter was sent ahead within an hour. The intention is to ensure that students are familiarised with this important part of Indian history, how the country may have benefitted from it and what we may have lost.”
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