“We are not bound to follow Punjab govt orders”-schools openly defy Punjab govt orders in Patiala, call teachers
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ September 1,2025
Due to prevailing flood situation in Punjab, the state government has ordered the closure of all government, aided, private schools in Punjab on August 31,2025 till September 3,2025.
The state education minister Harjot Bains has clearly ordered that “No educational institute can call students, teachers to school. If anyone found disobeying the orders, a strict action will be taken against the school management”.
As per available information, KV Sanghatan had issued a standing instruction to all its schools in India to follow the state government or district administration orders, instructions passed by them.Opposite to this, all three Kendriya Vidalaya (KVs) in Patiala are open and called the teachers to schools.
When contacted the Principal of KV-1 Patiala, Arun Kumar and asked why the school has called teachers despite Punjab government orders he said” we are not bound to obey the state government orders. We are a defence school and governed by the Army. Our chairman is a Brigadier. We are committed towards are students studies. We called our teachers as we have a strong Wi-Fi connection in the school. Moreover teachers are living in the nearby within the defence area. Some of our teachers are coming from Ambala and they have taken the special casual leave as Ambala is also under flood threat. “ He further added “ when banks are open, offices, colleges are open than why not school remain open for teachers?” When asked, it means you are openly defying state govt orders, he said “ in Punjab we have 58 KVs (including in Chandigarh) and all are open. If our chairman (a Brigadier rank officer) orders, we will close our school, otherwise we are not bound to follow local govt orders.”
When contacted the principal of KV 2, Patiala, Lakshmi Singh, she said “ I am out of station and coming back to Patiala. As the state govt orders are in Punjabi, we can’t understand it. But I’ll look into it after reaching school and do the needful as per state govt orders.”
Similarly when contacted the KV3 Principal, Balwant Singh, he said “ we thought its for students only. Now they (teachers) have come to school, we will ask them to leave after half day and announce holidays till September 3, as per Punjab govt orders.”
When contacted the Dy DEO Ravinderpal Singh , he said ” I’ll look into it. When the government has order the closure for all government schools, KV Schools also fall under them.”
Meanwhile the state government has also order the closure of universities, colleges, polytechnics, ITIs till September 3,2025
