KOCHI: The Lakshadweep administration has changed the weekly off-day for schools in the Union Territory from Friday to Sunday, triggering protest in the Muslim-dominated archipelago. Muslims constitute nearly 96% of Lakshadweep population as per the 2011 Census and Friday has been a holiday in schools there for decades.
An order issued by the education department of the UT administration, dated December 17, said the school timings and regular activities are “suggested” to be modified to “ensure optimum utilisation of resources and proper engagement of learners and necessary planning of teaching-learning process”. It also includes a detailed subject-wise allotment of classes for both English-medium and Malayalam-medium schools for the 2021-22 academic year, which says all Fridays will be working days.
Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal PP said Friday has been a holiday for schools since they were launched six decades ago. “The decision was taken without any discussion with the district panchayat, elected representatives or PTAs. It is a unilateral and unpopular decision; the people of Lakshadweep will not accept it,” he said.
Faizal said the new timings would also clash with the madrassa system in the islands on Friday mornings.