Kochi: The Kerala High Court has allowed schools functioning under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to conduct vacation classes while following a direction issued by the State Government prohibiting the same.
The court passed the interim order staying the May 3 government order for two weeks while considering a petition filed by the Kerala CBSE School Management Association.
The single judge bench of Justice A Badharudeen made it clear that vacation classes during summer vacation can be conducted with the consent of students and their guardians, and that the same can’t be disturbed without any valid reason.
However, the court clarified that if any parent raises an objection, the classes should be deferred.
The government argued that the measure had been taken in view of the extremely hot conditions and also to facilitate the students enjoyment of the vacation. However, the court observed that no specific reason was given for prohibiting the vacation classes and that the same is being conducted by schools for the benefit of the students.
Earlier, the State Education Department instructed all schools, including those with CBSE and ICSE syllabuses, against holding classes during the mid-summer vacation. It had warned of strict action against the school authorities and teachers who violated the rules.