Parents criticise half-day holiday for schools in Hyderabad

Telangana government’s decision to declare a half-day holiday for schools in response to very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall forecast in GHMC area on August 13 and 14 triggered a sharp criticism from several parents who argue that the move creates more problems that it solves.

Parents, particularly those working, wanted the government to announce a complete holiday for all schools. With a half-day holiday, parents said they will be forced to juggle between their work schedules and the school to pick up their children



mid-day.

Further, unpredictability of weather conditions in the city are giving more anxiety to parents. Parents fear that their wards may be caught in the rain and heavy traffic congestion, leading up to several kilometres, while returning home.

“A complete holiday would have made sense. What if it rains around 12 noon or just before the school ends? Parents will be stuck at their workplace and children in their school,” said K Venkat Sainath, Joint Secretary, Hyderabad School Parents Association.