Mangaluru: Repeated rain holidays in Dakshina Kannada have left schools struggling to complete the syllabus ahead of first-term examinations, prompting institutions to hold extra classes, trim non-core periods and press for full-day Saturdays.While students eagerly track holiday announcements after every spell of heavy rain, schools say the loss of teaching days is now beginning to affect academic schedules.Deputy director of public instruction (DDPI) Shashidhara GS said the department is assessing the weather situation and is likely to decide after Aug on converting half-day Saturdays into full working days.School administrators, however, contend that a Sept decision may come too late, with first-term exams due by the end of that month.“We are conducting extra classes whenever possible, reducing periods for subjects such as arts and general knowledge, and postponing cultural and extracurricular programmes,” said Aloysius D’Souza, principal of St Aloysius English Medium School, Urwa.He urged the department to allow full-day Saturdays from this month itself. “If the decision is delayed until Sept, there will be little time left to complete the syllabus before exams,” he said.Many schools have already begun making their own adjustments. At Ladyhill Victoria Girls’ High School, evening classes are being held from 3.30pm to 4.45pm to offset lost working days, principal Sr Pushpa Pinto AC said.She noted that rain-related closures had cost the school around 10 working days last year as well, but said the institution fully supports the authorities’ decision to prioritise student safety.With the monsoon disrupting the academic calendar, schools are increasingly relying on compensatory classes while awaiting a decision on extending Saturday schedules.
