Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 10 (EMN): A few schools in India have cancelled online classes on Monday for students and teachers to have a lie-in after watching the Euro 2020 final match between England and Italy in the early hours of Monday (Sunday night).
In Nagaland's Dimapur, Maple Tree School has suspended all online classes for Monday (July 12), considering the early morning match and many football enthusiasts among the pupils, teachers and even parents.
'A lot of the students, teachers as well as parents are interested in football and have been following the Euro 2020. So, we thought it would be nice to have a kind of surprise holiday,' Director of Academics at Maple Tree School, Sashi Imchen, told Eastern Mirror.
‘It is the last week of school before summer break. If teachers have any urgent lesson plans to complete, they can always reschedule on the other days,’ Imchen added.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, physical classes were suspended throughout the country. As a result, there is not much happening (in terms of sports activities), the director said.
'This (Euro 2020) is one big exciting thing which is happening across and we thought many students would be staying up late and might miss their online classes,' she said.
According to Imchen, ‘it is more than just a football match’. Besides encouraging her students to follow sports, it is also a form of education.
‘I think even sports are really an important part of (education). And all these are part of life,’ she said.
On cancelling of classes on account of Euro 2020, Imchen shared that ‘they didn't think much about it’.
"We thought it would be nice for students to really enjoy the match without thinking about waking up early and catching the eight o'clock online class. Or even for parents (who are helping with their children's online classes). We thought even parents and teachers can have a break (from online classes)," she said.
She went on to add that the circular about cancellation of classes for Monday generated excitement and positive response from students and parents.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Chief Minister, Abu Metha took to Twitter to appreciate the school for the move.
"A school that loves sports, and promotes all things sporting. An institution that appreciates and understands young minds," he tweeted.
It was also learnt that St. Edmund's School in Shillong, Meghalaya too is gripped by football fever. The principal of the school had cancelled classes for Monday on account of Euro 2020 and encouraged his students to enjoy the experience (of watching the match).
Meanwhile, Vasant Valley School in Delhi is said to have deferred the classes timing to 10 in the morning on Monday.
The Euro 2020 championship match between England and Italy will kick off at Wembley Stadium in London at 12:30 am (IST) on Monday.