Stalin seeks clarity on working day for schools on Jan 16

DMK president Stalin had earlier cautioned that his party would hold a protest demonstration in front of school education directorate and Minister’s office if the order instructing students to attend schools the day after Pongal on January 16 (Maatu Pongal) to listen to PM Narendra Modi’s speech was not withdrawn.

Not content with Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and School Education Minister K A Sengotttaiyan’s clarification that it was not compulsory and students who have television at home could hear the speech at their home, Stalin said, the Chief Minister and the School Education Minister have clarified that students were not ordered to attend school following strong opposition.

“If it were not the case, why was an order issued on ensuring attendance of students instead of advising them?” Stalin sought to know, before adding that the clarification of the CM and the Minister makes one doubt if the School Education Department was not under the control of the ruling AIADMK.

“Instead of issuing rebuttal, the government should make a proper and formal announcement (on the issue),” the LoP suggested in a message posted on his official Facebook page later in the day.