After extended Dasara vacation, K'taka schools told to hold extra classes to recover lost time
Bengaluru: Following the extension of the Dasara vacation to facilitate the Social and Educational Survey, government and aided schools across Karnataka have been instructed to conduct additional classes to make up for the academic loss caused by the prolonged break.
The Department of School Education and Literacy has asked schools to hold one extra class each day to make up for the delay in completing the syllabus, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
The state government had extended the Dasara holidays by ten days to enable teachers to participate in the Social and Educational Survey. As a result, schools reopened only after Deepavali, leading to delays in syllabus coverage.
The loss of class hours has been greater in primary schools, which missed 74 hours of teaching, compared to 66 hours in high schools. The department has stated that each compensatory class should last 40 minutes for primary schools and 45 minutes for high schools.
Primary schools are reportedly required to hold additional classes until February 5, 2026, while high schools must do so until January 24, 2026. Schools have the flexibility to decide whether to conduct the extra class in the morning or evening.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly instructed the Principal Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy to issue an order directing schools to conduct additional classes, added DH.
Further, school managements have been advised to conduct special remedial classes between January and March for underperforming students who need additional academic support.
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DSP’s red hair earns criticism, Odisha Police asks him to maintain decorum
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Police has found itself in a spot after some of its personnel, including senior officers, were criticised on social media for sporting coloured and unconventional hairstyles.
The latest incident was reported from Jagatsinghpur district, where a DSP-rank officer was trolled online for his red-coloured hair, putting the police administration in an awkward position, a senior officer said.
The officer, identified as Rashmi Ranjan Das, saw his hairstyle go viral on social media, drawing criticism from several quarters.
Some users termed the look "unprofessional", while others questioned whether such an appearance befitted a uniformed officer, alleging it undermined the authority and seriousness associated with the khaki.
"After finding the DSP being trolled on social media, I have instructed the Jagatsinghpur SP to tell the officer to maintain decorum and keep his hairstyle decent, befitting a man in uniform," Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Satyajit Naik told PTI.
Naik, however, said the police department has not yet issued any circular or order in this regard.
"We have told the officer to maintain decency. Everything cannot go by written orders. From constables to senior officers, everyone in the police service should respect the uniform and give utmost priority to decency," he said.
Another senior police officer said women police personnel across the country, including Odisha, are also seen colouring their hair in shades such as coffee, chocolate, ash, auburn, caramel and golden.
"One cannot issue an order to keep hair black always. There are people who have natural brown hair. This apart, greying is also a natural phenomenon. What can be done in these cases? Therefore, no order can be issued with regard to hair colour," the officer said, adding that it depends on individual police officers.
A woman police officer in the city, who has coloured her hair ash, said no law or rule prohibits such choices.
"We are in the police and perform our duties responsibly. People should not comment on a person’s hairstyle. We welcome criticism if we commit mistakes, but colouring hair is not a crime," she said.
A retired IPS officer said that while the police manual does not explicitly prescribe hairstyles, personnel are expected to maintain the image of a security force.
"Creating a controversy over a non-issue serves no purpose," another serving officer remarked.
