Summer break may be cut short to make up for learning gap in Odisha

Amidst growing concerns over the academic well-being of students due to Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns in the last two years, summer vacation in Odisha schools may be curtailed by at least 35 days this year. 

Ahead of the start of the new academic session, schools are reportedly planning to revise the syllabus of the previous year to bring the education back on track. As per sources, the summer vacations are likely to start on May 6 and end on the 16th of the same month. 

The State School and Mass Education Department is reportedly considering the decision to use the revised session period to make up for the academic loss of students who were promoted without any examination in the last couple of years due to the prolonged closure of schools during the pandemic.

While students have welcomed the move, educationists say that opening the schools only will not serve the purpose as students need to be taught properly.

"If the summer vacations are curtailed, we must be properly taught as our studies suffered massive setback during the pandemic," said a student.

Some students, who were able to avail the facilities, studied quite well during the pandemic but many failed to continue their study, said educationist, Satyakam Mishra.

"If the students, whose studies were affected during the closure of schools, can be identified and special attention is given to them on the areas where they are lacking behind, it will be a great help for them," said Mishra.

However, parents associations have raised concerns over the reduction of summer break at a time when the day temperature continues to rise in Odisha with each passing day. 

Krushna Chandra Pati, president of Utkal Abhibhabak Sangha, said that when the State SRC is advising not to step outside of house after 10 am if there is no important work, how can children go to schools when thousands of schools in Odisha don't even have basic facilities.