Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 31: The Karnataka School Education and Literacy Department has directed all government, aided and unaided primary and high schools across the state to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava on November 1, even though the occasion falls on a Sunday this year.

A circular issued by the Commissioner for School Education and Literacy on October 15 instructed education officials to ensure that celebrations are organised in all schools on the designated day without postponement due to the weekly holiday.

The directive applies to government, aided and unaided institutions, including private schools. It reiterates that national and state festivals must be observed on their respective dates in accordance with prescribed rules.

School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said schools should not ignore the celebrations merely because November 1 falls on a Sunday. Describing Kannada Rajyotsava as a festival and a matter of pride for the state, he stressed that such occasions must be observed on their designated dates, irrespective of holidays.

However, the directive has raised concerns among some school authorities over student and teacher participation. A headmaster of a government school in Bengaluru expressed apprehension that parents might be reluctant to send their children to school on a Sunday.

He also pointed out that teachers had been engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work for several months and were expecting a holiday, raising questions about attendance.

Despite these concerns, the department has made it clear that schools must organise Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations on November 1 and cannot defer the event solely because the occasion falls on a Sunday.

Kannada Rajyotsava is celebrated every year on November 1 to commemorate the formation of Karnataka.