Odisha’s School and Mass Education Department has officially announced that the Puja and Dussehra vacation for schools in the state will run from 17 to 26 October this year.
This mandatory annual festive closure spans eight designated holiday days (excluding Sundays) and applies uniformly across all government, aided, and recognized elementary and secondary schools statewide.
But come 26 October, it’s back to school. Talk about Monday morning blues.
School Breaks in Other States
However, school holidays during Dussehra and Durga Puja vary across states. While several northern states observe Vijayadashami with a shorter break, eastern states such as West Bengal celebrate Durga Puja over several days, resulting in longer school holidays. The duration of the break also depends on state government holiday calendars and individual school schedules.
Here is a general overview of the dates and number of days off in some other states. However, one should confirm these dates and details through official state notifications and school calendars.
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: Schools may remain closed for Vijayadashami and selected days during Navratri. The duration can differ between government and private schools.
West Bengal: Durga Puja is one of the state’s major festivals. Schools typically observe an extended break around the Puja period, with dates determined by the academic calendar.
Assam: Schools may observe holidays for Durga Puja and Vijayadashami, depending on the official holiday schedule.
Karnataka: Schools may close for Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami, with the duration varying by institution.
Tamil Nadu: Schools may observe holidays around Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami as specified in the state calendar.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: School closures may coincide with Vijayadashami and the Dasara vacation period, depending on the academic schedule.
Delhi and Madhya Pradesh: Schools generally follow the applicable government holiday calendar, with any additional vacation days determined by the relevant authorities.
Students and parents should check the official holiday calendar issued by their state education department or their school for confirmation of the dates.
So dear student, what’s your plan during the Dussehra holidays? Spend time with family, play cricket with friends, attend local celebrations, take a short trip or something else?
As for parents, they too can encourage their children to complete holiday assignments and revise lessons without making the break overly demanding.