The Human Resources Ministry today clarified that the Central Board of Secondary Education has not directed any school to remain open this Christmas. The clarification came following a media report that on Christmas schools have been asked to remain open to observe National Good Governance Day. In a press note, the Ministry said, all the schools will follow their vacation schedule on 25th of this month. It said, CBSE will also remain closed on the day and no official of the board is required to come to office for the conduct of an online essay competitions on that day.

Earlier, senior Union Cabinet Minister Arun Jaitley, while speaking in Rajya Sabha, dismissed as baseless media reports that schools across the country will remain opened on Christmas to celebrate good governance day.
There were media reports that the Center has issued circular to schools to celebrate the birthdays of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on 25th of this month by observing it as good governance day.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that the reports appearing in the media are baseless. Mr Naidu said, the schools will continue their vacations on the day as earlier. He said, the essay competition which is being organised in the schools is online and it will be voluntary. The issue was raised by K C Venugopal of Congress and other party members in the House.