October Brings 14 Days Off for Schools, with a 4-Day Diwali Break-A Treat for Students!
For the 2024-25 academic year in Tamil Nadu, school working days have been reduced from 220 to 210, following adjustments prompted by teachers` and students` requests. The revised schedule is primarily due to the timing of quarterly exams and the overlap with weekends and government holidays in September and October. This has led to an extension of the quarterly holiday period, offering students a longer break before returning to school.
Extended Holiday Period for Quarterly Exams
Quarterly exams for students in classes 6 to 10 started on September 20, while students in classes 11 and 12 began their exams on September 19. The exams concluded on September 27, and the quarterly holiday officially began on September 28. Originally, students were only granted a five-day break, which would have ended on October 2. However, due to a growing demand from teachers and students, the school education department extended the holidays by four additional days, giving students a total of nine days off. This means students will return to school on October 7.
Fewer Working Days in October
October is shaping up to be a short month in terms of school days, with multiple public holidays and long weekends. Key government holidays include Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), Ayudha Puja (October 11), Saraswati Puja (October 12), and Diwali (October 31). These holidays, combined with weekends and the extended quarterly break, mean schools will be in session for just 17 days in October.
October School Schedule Breakdown
• Schools Reopen: October 7
• Classes: October 7-10
• Holidays: October 11-13 (Ayudha Puja and Saraswati Puja)
• Classes: October 14-18, October 21-25
• Final Working Days: October 28-30
• Diwali Holiday: October 31
Travel and Family Plans During Diwali
With Diwali falling on a Thursday, students and families are expected to take advantage of the long weekend, with many likely to travel or spend time with family. Although Friday, November 1, is a working day, many families are expected to take the day off, extending their Diwali break through the weekend (November 2-3).
Impact on the Academic Calendar
The reduction of 10 school days for the academic year, including the extended quarterly break and upcoming holidays, is significant. October alone will see a reduction of four school days due to the extended holiday period. This shorter academic month may prompt schools to adjust their second-term schedules to ensure syllabus completion before year-end exams.
