Bengal rain: Durga Puja holidays in govt educational institutions advanced by two days

In a notification issued to the presidents of the secondary and primary education boards, the department said, “Considering the heavy rainfall last night and due to the forecast of inclement weather for the next two days, it has been decided by the competent authority that all the government/government aided/sponsored, primary, upper primary, secondary, higher secondary, educational institutions in the state (except hill areas) will remain closed on September 24 and 25.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also appealed to private schools to remain closed for the next two days and shift to online classes.

Education Minister Bratya Basu posted on X, “An unprecedented calamity-like situation prevails in the state. In keeping with the advice of the Chief Minister to offer relief to our students in the current situation and to preempt accidents, it has been decided to keep all education institutions closed tomorrow and the day after, that is, on September 24 and 25.”

He added, “Since the Durga Puja holidays are scheduled to start from September 26, effectively the vacation will start from tomorrow (Wednesday). I wish all happy Pujas. My deepest condolences remain with the next of kin of my fellow citizens who lost their lives in this calamity.”

The Higher Education department announced that all government and government-aided universities would remain closed for the next two days: “Considering the heavy rainfall last night and due to the forecast of inclement weather for the next two days, it has been decided by the competent authority in this Department that all the universities, government/government-aided educational institutions in the state will remain closed on September 24 and 25 respectively. The Puja vacation is preponed accordingly.”

Meanwhile, Calcutta University postponed all departmental examinations scheduled for Tuesday due to the inclement weather. “This is to notify that all university examinations scheduled to be held on September 23 are hereby postponed due to the unprecedented natural calamity. The new date of the examination shall be declared in due time.”

Jadavpur University also cancelled all academic activities for the day, stating: “Due to this unprecedented inclement weather and subsequent situation in the university campuses, all academic activities and other scheduled administrative meetings will remain suspended for today.”

Later, JU also advanced its Durga Puja holidays and announced it would be closed on September 24 and 25, stating, ““the University will remain closed (except emergency services) on 24.09.2025 and 25.09.2025 and the Puja vacation is preponed accordingly considering the heavy rainfall last night and due to the forecast of inclement weather for the next two days…Heads of the administrative/academic departments and faculty members may open their department/laboratory/section for urgent administrative/research activities on these two days with due permission as per rule and complying with all safety requirements as issued by the competent authorities from time to time.”