Visakhapatnam: Private junior colleges conduct holiday classes despite warnings

Visakhapatnam: Ignoring the instructions from school education authorities issued following a series of recent student suicides under academic stress, managements of several junior colleges continue to conducting classes on holidays and Sundays in the city.

On the last school holiday on Saturday and Sunday, the regional school inspection officials received 10 complaints from students in the city over the phone. Regional officials from the Board of Intermediate had issued a circular to junior colleges last week directing them not to hold classes on Saturdays and Sundays.

According to sources, the complaints were against junior colleges in Sabbava-ram, Anakapalli, Gopalapatnam, Madhurawada and Gajuwaka. The school managements appeared unfazed by the fines imposed. At least four colleges were fined in lakhs and one of them was slapped with a fine of Rs 10 lakh. The colleges, it is learnt, are yet to pay the penalty.

When contacted, regional inspection officer of the Board of Intermediate T. Nagesh admitted that up to 15 complaints were received from various colleges. “We have warned the managements to follow the instructions. Based on the complaints of the students, we have sought clarification from the managements concerned,” he said.

Last month, HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao had expressed concern over the excess study hours and less leisure timing for students after paying surprise visit to a few colleges. He had asked the management of private intermediate colleges to allow students time for games and recreational activities and not hold classes on holidays.