Schools to remain close on Christmas: Smriti Irani

The Ministry of Human Resource Development finds itself in the midst of yet another controversy with the Navodya Vidyalaya Samiti asking all its schools to observe December 25 as ‘Good Governance Day’ by organising various competitions for students.

The circular also says as part of its ‘Expression Series’, CBSE will organize essay competitions on good governance on December 24 and 25, asking schools to “encourage” the participation of students in the competition. “You are requested to ensure that Good Governance day is celebrated in all JNVs under your region,” the circular states, while also seeking a “consolidated report” on activities carried out in this regard.

Ministry officials, however, claim December 25 will not be a working day for students and that the essay competition will be online. They also claim all activities are voluntary.

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia said the HRD Ministry had issued three ciruclars to CBSE and Navodaya schools and universities, contrary to the government’s claim that no circular to celebrate ‘Good Governance Day’ on December 25 was issued to Navodaya schools.

He said if the ministers were found to be “misleading”, his party would use “all options” including a privilege motion.

“The government has several times said in Parliament and outside that no circular was issued. Today, we have received three circulars. First circular was issued to the CBSE schools by the HRD ministry on December 9 to celebrate Good Governance Day. There is no reference of an online debate in this circular as told by the government. The schools were asked to conduct debates and other competitions on this day and submit a report.

“Another circular was sent to Navodaya schools on December 10 and was asked to carry out same activities. Then a third circular was issued to all universities, including the IIMs and IITs on December 12 to celebrate this day,” Scindia told reporters outside Parliament.

He also asked the government to come clean and give an explanation over the issue.

confuzzled dude wrote:

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia said the HRD Ministry had issued three ciruclars to CBSE and Navodaya schools and universities, contrary to the government’s claim that no circular to celebrate ‘Good Governance Day’ on December 25 was issued to Navodaya schools.

He said if the ministers were found to be “misleading”, his party would use “all options” including a privilege motion.

“The government has several times said in Parliament and outside that no circular was issued. Today, we have received three circulars. First circular was issued to the CBSE schools by the HRD ministry on December 9 to celebrate Good Governance Day. There is no reference of an online debate in this circular as told by the government. The schools were asked to conduct debates and other competitions on this day and submit a report.

“Another circular was sent to Navodaya schools on December 10 and was asked to carry out same activities. Then a third circular was issued to all universities, including the IIMs and IITs on December 12 to celebrate this day,” Scindia told reporters outside Parliament.

He also asked the government to come clean and give an explanation over the issue.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cong-threatens-to-move-privilege-motion-against-naidu-irani-over-misleading-dec-25-circulars/

southindian wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia said the HRD Ministry had issued three ciruclars to CBSE and Navodaya schools and universities, contrary to the government’s claim that no circular to celebrate ‘Good Governance Day’ on December 25 was issued to Navodaya schools.

He said if the ministers were found to be “misleading”, his party would use “all options” including a privilege motion.

“The government has several times said in Parliament and outside that no circular was issued. Today, we have received three circulars. First circular was issued to the CBSE schools by the HRD ministry on December 9 to celebrate Good Governance Day. There is no reference of an online debate in this circular as told by the government. The schools were asked to conduct debates and other competitions on this day and submit a report.

“Another circular was sent to Navodaya schools on December 10 and was asked to carry out same activities. Then a third circular was issued to all universities, including the IIMs and IITs on December 12 to celebrate this day,” Scindia told reporters outside Parliament.

He also asked the government to come clean and give an explanation over the issue.

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cong-threatens-to-move-privilege-motion-against-naidu-irani-over-misleading-dec-25-circulars/

Ohhhh! I believe Congress sooooo much.

This drama party is GRAND.

In a circular dated December 12 sent to vice-chancellors of all Central Universities, the ministry had asked them to mark the day by organising a seminar on “use of technology and innovations in promoting good governance” as well as an “oratory”. The ministry had also announced cash prizes of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 for winners of the oratory competition as well as prizes for those who gave “new ideas” in the seminar.

southindian wrote:2 words, you need to search on this page.

"Voluntary" and "Online"

Indian Express wrote:
As the Smriti Irani-led Human Resource Development Ministry tries to douse a controversy over observing December 25 as ‘Good Governance Day’ in schools, it has now emerged that higher education institutions, too, were asked to organise activities to mark the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya.

In a circular dated December 12 sent to vice-chancellors of all Central Universities, the ministry had asked them to mark the day by organising a seminar on “use of technology and innovations in promoting good governance” as well as an “oratory”. The ministry had also announced cash prizes of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 for winners of the oratory competition as well as prizes for those who gave “new ideas” in the seminar.

The ministry had also asked for “a compliance report on observance of Good Governance Day and on holding of oratory competition”. The circular clearly states the events “are to be organised” and does not mention they are voluntary.