In wake of the Bharat Bandh called by Congress, JD(S) and other political parties to protest against the rising fuel prices in the country, several schools and colleges in Bangalore are likely to remain closed on Monday, September 10.
Since the pan India bandh would disrupt transport services between 9 am to 3 pm, many educational institutions in the city have decided to declare a holiday, as reported by the Times of India. To compensate for the loss, these schools will now conduct full-day classes on September 15.
"Private schools will not participate in the bandh in the interest of students. We don't endorse the hike in fuel prices as it affects parents and educational institutions. We have communicated to heads of educational institutions that they can use their discretionary powers to decide on giving a holiday. Schools can declare a holiday provided they conduct classes on Saturday," Times of India quoted Shashi Kumar D, secretary, Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka as saying.
Other schools have also decided to stay closed on Monday fearing that transport vehicles will be forced off the road. AITUC- backed KSRTC staff and Workers' Federation have also come out in support of the nation-wide bandh which will affect bus services in Bengaluru.
KSRTC managing director SR Umashankar said that the employees have requested the corporation to go on strike in wake of the bandh. "We requested them not to participate and we'll take a decision based on the situation," Times of India quoted Umashankar as saying.
