In Bagaha, Bihar, local residents have strongly protested a decision to cancel Friday holidays and implement Sunday holidays at a Plus Two school. The controversy centers on a Plus Two school located in Kolhua Chautarwa Panchayat, Bagaha One block, where since its establishment, Fridays were observed as holidays due to Juma prayers, with classes held on Sundays.

Following directives from senior officials, headmaster Kumar Gaurav opened the school on a Friday for the first time. This sudden change in the holiday schedule has caused significant discontent among the local minority-dominated community. Upon learning that the school was open on Friday, dozens of residents, including Deputy Chief Abbas Alam, Roman Khan, Manzar Hasan, Sheikh Rahman, and Hafizullah Khan, arrived at the school to question the headmaster.

Headmaster Kumar Gaurav explained that according to the school president and Bagaha MLA Ram Singh, only Urdu schools from class one to eight observe Friday holidays. High schools and Plus Two schools do not fall under the category of Urdu schools, and therefore, they will operate on Fridays and remain closed on Sundays.

Local residents argue that the school is situated in a minority-majority area, and on Fridays, a large number of children and adults attend mosques for Juma prayers. This was the reason for the long-standing Friday holiday. They contend that an abrupt change in the rules will disrupt their daily routines and inconvenience the children.

In-charge Block Education Officer Pooran Sharma stated that the MLA had suggested opening the school on Fridays. Additionally, verbal instructions were received from the District Education Officer, and a letter has been issued to be sent to the concerned high and Plus Two schools. According to him, not all high and intermediate schools are Urdu schools, and the departmental order to run schools on Fridays and observe holidays on Sundays is being implemented.