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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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
