The Ghaziabad district administration has ordered all schools, colleges, universities and technical institutions to remain closed from 4 August to 12 August because of the Kanwar Yatra.
The order, issued by the district magistrate, applies to all schools from nursery to Class 12 affiliated with the Basic Education Board, Secondary Education Board, CBSE, ICSE, madrasa boards and other recognised authorities. Government and private colleges, universities and technical institutions have also been directed to suspend classes.
Institutions where examinations are already scheduled have been exempted.
While some private schools have decided to conduct online classes, government schools have suspended teaching during the closure period.
Why Were Schools Closed?
According to the district administration, the number of Kanwariyas passing through Ghaziabad is expected to increase significantly in the days leading up to Shravan Shivratri on 11 August.
Authorities said major roads across the district will remain under traffic diversions and enhanced security arrangements to facilitate the pilgrimage. Officials said keeping educational institutions closed would reduce inconvenience for students and minimise safety risks caused by heavy traffic and large gatherings.
Schools and colleges are expected to reopen on 13 August, unless further directions are issued.
Neighbouring Noida had not announced a similar closure order at the time Ghaziabad issued its directive.
ALSO WATCH: Inside Abhishek Bachchan’s School
A Wider Debate On Access To Education
The Ghaziabad order comes at a time when India's school system is already undergoing significant changes.
According to an analysis of government education data, the total number of schools declined by around 45,000 between 2014-15 and 2024-25. The reduction was driven entirely by the closure or consolidation of 94,000 government schools, while the number of private unaided schools increased.
The same analysis found that student enrolment has also shifted. Government school enrolment declined in recent years, while enrolment in private schools increased, reflecting changing parental preferences and demographic trends.
At the same time, the number of teachers increased, suggesting improved teacher availability despite fewer schools and lower overall enrolment.
ALSO WATCH: Kerala School “Augmenting” Education
What Does This Mean For Temporary School Closures?
The Ghaziabad closure is unrelated to school consolidation policies, but it has renewed discussion about continuity in education.
Temporary closures because of festivals, religious processions, pollution or extreme weather can disrupt academic calendars. Education experts have argued that administrative decisions should balance safety with uninterrupted access to learning wherever possible.
A recent analysis of India's school system similarly concluded that education policy should ultimately be judged by whether every child can safely access quality education, rather than simply by the number of schools operating.
For now, the Ghaziabad administration maintains that the closure is a temporary safety measure linked to the Kanwar Yatra. Schools and colleges are expected to reopen on 13 August, subject to further directions.
ALSO WATCH: School For Senior Citizens
