Common academic calendar proposed for private schools from 2027
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR,
The All Arunachal Pradesh Private Schools and Children Welfare Association (AAPPSCWA) has issued a fresh set of guidelines for private schools and hostels across the state, focusing on student safety, discipline, cultural preservation and institutional accountability.
Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Friday, AAPPSCWA president Yowa Bullet said the guidelines were framed to maintain educational standards and ensure transparency in the functioning of private educational institutions.
As part of efforts to promote indigenous culture and identity, the association has directed all member schools to observe every Friday as “Traditional Dress Day”, during which students and staff members will wear traditional attire representing their respective tribes or districts.
The association has also introduced new transportation safety norms. School buses older than five years from the date of purchase will not be allowed for transportation services, while the speed limit for school buses has been fixed at 40 km per hour.
“The presence of a handyman or helper in every school bus has been made compulsory to ensure student safety,” Bullet said.
To improve emergency preparedness, schools have been instructed to prominently display emergency contact numbers, including ambulance, fire service and nearest police station contacts, both on school buses and within school premises.
Regarding hostel management, the association has directed that every hostel floor must have at least one warden and two assistant wardens for proper supervision and student safety.
CCTV cameras are also to be installed in school and hostel premises, excluding girls’ hostel areas and other restricted privacy zones.
The guidelines further emphasise food safety and hygiene in hostel kitchens. Hostel authorities have been directed to ensure food quality, cleanliness and mandatory tasting of food before it is served to students.
In a welfare-oriented initiative, every private school under the association has been asked to provide free admission to at least two orphan students, subject to verification and approval by the district administration and the association.
“The Deputy Commissioner concerned will chair the selection process for orphan students,” Bullet said.
The association also announced that all private schools must obtain membership of the association for a minimum period of three years with effect from January 2026.
A vigilance team constituted by the association will conduct inspections in schools across the state to verify standards and monitor compliance with the guidelines.
The association warned that schools admitting students without proper Transfer Certificate (TC) and Permanent Education Number (PEN) may face penalties.
AAPPSCWA further cautioned against any form of threat, assault or misconduct towards teachers and school management by parents or outsiders and stated that legal action may be initiated in such cases.
From the academic session 2027 onwards, all private schools in the state are expected to follow a common academic calendar, except schools in Tawang and Ziro regions that may be exempted due to local conditions.
The association informed that the annual academic schedule, including reopening dates, vacations and examinations, will be prepared and published by December every year for implementation in the following academic session.
