Five days ago, DPI (Elementary) Schools, Punjab, Harcharanjeet Kaur Brar, had issued instructions to all schools that children up to class V be exempted from attending school till February 9.

The orders were a follow up of instructions by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Said Varinder Sharma, District Education Officer (Elementary), Ludhiana, “I have instructed primary and elementary schools to announce holidays. But in senior secondary schools, the principals are responsible for implementing these orders. These schools come under the jurisdiction of District Education Officer (Secondary). I have asked him to instruct these schools to follow the order”.

Meanwhile, DEO (Secondary), Sudesh Bajaj, said, “I am informing school authorities through phone. DEO (Elementary) is responsible for sending written instructions”.

“We will prepare a list of offenders and give it to the Deputy Commissioner for further action,” said Bajaj.

Meanwhile, children as well their parents are at the receiving end.