In response to the controversy surrounding the reduction of festive holidays in government-run schools in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has defended the decision, emphasizing the importance of education. He questioned, “What is wrong with educating children?” Kumar expressed his support for quality education and stated that the step was taken to ensure that children receive proper education in a timely manner.
During a media interaction on Saturday, the leader of the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) stated, “We want to teach children so they get a good education, so what is wrong with that (reducing holidays)? If any official or anyone has a problem with it, they should come and tell me. I will listen to everyone.”
This move has sparked debate and discussions regarding the balance between education and cultural traditions, especially during important festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja.
The controversy surrounding the holiday calendar in Bihar government schools highlights the ongoing discussions on educational reforms and the priorities of academic institutions.