In Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur, Anjuman Islamia English School found itself at the center of a controversy after it announced Friday (Jumma Day) as the weekly holiday in place of Sunday, drawing criticism for violating government regulations that designate Sunday as the official weekly off for educational institutions.
The school management informed parents via a WhatsApp message that Friday would henceforth be a holiday, and classes would be conducted on Sunday instead. The decision quickly triggered discontent among parents, who argued that the move went against state education norms.
The matter soon escalated as the BJP Minority Front filed a formal complaint with the district administration and the education department, urging action against the school. Acting on the complaint, an education department team visited the premises and reportedly broke open the lock on the main gate to inspect the situation.
Following the inquiry, officials from the Anjuman Islamia Board admitted their mistake and withdrew the order. School manager Annu Anwar explained the reasoning behind the earlier decision, saying, “Many students were absent on Fridays due to Jumma prayers. The school committee had decided to shift the weekly holiday to accommodate them, but we have withdrawn the decision after objections were raised.”
He further assured that the institution would continue to follow Sunday as the weekly holiday, as per government rules.
The controversy sparked a broader debate across Jabalpur. While some residents saw the school’s move as a practical solution to manage absenteeism among students, others condemned it as a religion-based interference in secular education policy.
The Anjuman Islamia Waqf Board, which runs four other schools and one college in Jabalpur, has reportedly followed a Friday holiday schedule in those institutions due to their Muslim-majority student population. However, the English-medium school in question caters to a more diverse student base of around 700 students, making the change more contentious.
Authorities have instructed all schools under the board to strictly adhere to state education guidelines, ensuring that Sunday remains the official weekly off.
