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The Department of Education Research and Training (DSERT) in Karnataka has directed Urdu schools in Bengaluru and the state to observe Fridays as free days. This move aims to enhance the learning experience for students. Additionally, DSERT has mandated the celebration of the 34th Saturday of every month as a Bag-Free Day in all schools statewide, as reported by the Vijayawani network. However, since Urdu schools have half-day sessions on Fridays and full-day sessions on Saturdays, many schools have sought clarification on whether to observe “Celebration Saturday” on Fridays or Saturdays.
According to DSERT Director V Sumangala, Saturdays are full school days in Urdu schools across the state, while Fridays have half-day sessions. The directive aims to promote civic awareness by involving students in diverse activities on Bag-Free Day. To facilitate this, self-explanatory pictorial activity books covering ten subjects and a guide manual for teachers have been prepared. These resources aim to engage students in applied learning and complement the activities outlined in the learning sheets provided on Bag-Free Day.
The report highlights the origins of the initiative, stating that DSERT initiated a program for Bag-Free Day in 2017, with an official order for its implementation issued in 2019. However, due to the pandemic and other factors, the program was not followed through. The scheme has been officially implemented from 2013 to 2024 but has not been extended to Urdu schools. Children are educated on various topics during Bag-Free Day, including solid waste management, responsible technology use, safety measures, public facilities, road safety, health, hygiene, substance abuse prevention, gender equality, well-being, and lifestyle.
In September 2022, the Karnataka High Court alerted the State Government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) aimed at reducing the burden of school bags carried by primary education students. The notice was issued by a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice S Vishwajith Shetty, in response to a petition submitted by Advocate Ramesh Naik. L. The petition expresses concerns about the well-being of children.
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP), many schools in Bengaluru have initiated the practice of observing no-bag days, following a directive from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The decision to implement this initiative was made during a meeting with CBSE principals on June 1 last year, allowing schools the flexibility to organize the day as they see fit. According to the NEP, schools are encouraged to have ten bag-less days annually. Additionally, the Council for Indian School Certificate has recently issued guidelines to schools, instructing them to commence bag-less days for students in classes 6 to 8.
Critics argue that while observing a Bag Free Day is acceptable, granting Urdu schools a half-holiday and a free day on that particular day is discriminatory. They question why this special privilege is granted only to Urdu schools, suggesting it may be for facilitating Namaz. Critics further question why similar concessions are not extended to students of other religions. They perceive this as a form of minority appeasement, citing past instances where the Congress government opposed uniform attire and advocated for Muslim girls to wear religious attire, including the hijab.
The Karnataka State Examination and Assessment Board’s decision to schedule the SSLC preparatory exams in the afternoon on March 1 has sparked a new controversy, with the Opposition BJP alleging it as another appeasement measure. This comes amidst previous incidents such as the replacement of the “Hanuman Dhwaja” with the Tricolour by the Karnataka police and administration during the Republic Day function on January 26. Additionally, the recent removal of a saffron flag depicting Hanuman from a 108-feet high pole in Mandya, Karnataka, and the hoisting of a green flag in Bengaluru’s Shivaji Nagar have intensified the debate. Following the BJP’s demand, the Municipal Corporation removed the green flag. Critics argue that these exam schedule changes are perceived as accommodating Muslim students for offering Namaz.
Critics argue that these actions are driven by the intention to appease minority communities in exchange for their votes during elections.
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