MUSCAT – In a written appeal shared with The Arabian Stories (TAS), parents and teachers have expressed their anger and anxiety. They have stressed that this change, introduced without prior consultation, needs to be revoked to ensure safety of children during peak summer period and also alleviate financial strain on families having to rebook flight tickets.

As a preliminary measure, affected parents and teachers have jointly submitted representations to the Indian Embassy in Oman, seeking urgent intervention. They have called for the reinstatement of the original vacation calendar, citing children’s health, extreme climatic conditions, financial hardship caused by airfare increases, and adherence to CBSE regulations.

The new holiday circular, issued on December 31, 2025, indicates that the changes in the summer and winter break schedules for the academic year 2026-2027 are in accordance with the guidelines received from the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman. Accordingly, summer break for Classes IX to XII are from May 31 to July 11, 2026, while students from Balvatika to Class VIII will have their summer vacation from May 31 to July 19, 2026. The winter break for all classes from Balvatika to Class XII is scheduled from December 20, 2026, to January 2, 2027.

This revised calendar has reduced the annual summer vacation from 50 days to 40 days. Under the earlier, approved academic calendar, vacation dates were announced well in advance, allowing families to plan travel and rest periods accordingly.

Pointing out that the decision has triggered widespread protests, Dr Saji Uthuppan, team lead representing Indian school parent communities in Oman, stated: “Parents question how young children can safely commute and remain in classrooms during such harsh climatic conditions, facing increased risks of heat exhaustion and dehydration.”

Dr. Saji also indicated that the revised calendar has also narrowed the travel window for families intending to visit India during school holidays, leading to a sharp rise in airfares due to limited ticket availability. Several parents report financial losses after booking non-refundable tickets based on the earlier vacation schedule.

Teachers, meanwhile, have voiced strong opposition to the reduction in leave days, noting that schools have consistently met all prescribed teaching hours in full compliance with CBSE norms. They argue that academic requirements cannot be cited as justification for reducing holidays, as the previous 50-day break already fulfilled regulatory standards.

Parents have also highlighted that Indian schools in other GCC countries continue to offer 50 days or more of annual leave, making the revised policy in Oman inconsistent with regional practice.
The issue has since escalated into a unified protest across the Indian school community in Oman, with parents and educators urging authorities to reconsider the decision through meaningful consultation.
Despite the developments, parents say they remain hopeful that authorities will restore the original 50-day summer vacation in the best interests of students, families and educators across the Indian school system in Oman.