Bhubaneswar, Dec, 20:The Office of the Director of Primary Education has released the annual holiday list, which has triggered strong reactions from the Primary School Teachers’ Association.
Teachers’ Day, celebrated on September 5 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan—great freedom fighter and the second President of India—has traditionally been observed in all schools. Similarly, Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14, the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister.
On these days, students get the opportunity to learn more about Dr. Radhakrishnan and Jawaharlal Nehru, as well as about the history of India’s freedom movement. By removing Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day from the holiday list, there is an attempt to erase the legacy and memory of these two great leaders and freedom fighters from public consciousness.
The Primary School Teachers’ Association has demanded that the holiday list be immediately revised and that Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day be declared as days to be observed in schools. This demand was made by the Association’s President, Brahmananda Maharana, and General Secretary, Bibhuprosad Sahu.