Since childhood, most people grow up believing that Sunday means a day off from school. As Saturday evening sets in, school children often feel a distinct sense of joy. However, does every school remain closed on Sunday? The answer is no. There are numerous institutions across the country and the world where classes are held just like any other day, and children cheerfully attend school.
The rule for a weekly day off is not uniform everywhere. Depending on religious beliefs, local traditions, and the type of institution, the weekend changes. In some places, Friday is observed as a holiday instead of Sunday, while in certain residential boarding schools, Sunday is reserved for special activities or study schedules. Having a holiday in the middle of the week also gives teachers and students the opportunity to handle bank work and other chores. Today, under general knowledge, let us explore where schools do not remain closed on Sunday.
In most parts of the world, schools, colleges, and offices stay closed on Sundays. Yet, multiple regions do not follow this Sunday holiday rule due to various operational and cultural reasons. In many states of India such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, madrasas and Islamic educational institutions do not take a break on Sunday. Classes run normally on this day. These institutions observe a weekly holiday on Friday, known as Jumma. This is because of religious significance, as congregational Friday prayers hold special importance, making Friday the designated weekly off.
Several Indian and international schools operating in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman also keep Sunday as a working day. Although countries like the UAE have adopted the Saturday-Sunday weekend, some Gulf nations still observe Friday and Saturday as their weekly holiday. Consequently, schools for Indian children living in those areas remain open on Sundays, conducting regular classes as usual. Similarly, many large residential or Gurukul-pattern boarding schools do not halt activities on Sundays.
Although formal classes do not take place on Sundays in these boarding schools, the day is scheduled with extracurricular activities, sports, tests, or self-study. For students living in hostels, Sunday is dedicated to personal development and coaching, meaning it is never entirely a free day. At Banasthali Vidyapith located in Rajasthan, classes run on Sundays just like normal working days. The institution remains closed on Tuesdays instead. Being a residential school and university, female students and teachers utilize Tuesdays to handle bank and post office tasks while attending educational sessions on Sundays.
In certain rural pockets of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Assam where a significant portion of the population belongs to the Muslim community, Friday is designated as the weekend with the consent of local administration or school management. These schools conduct classes on Sundays to ensure that the total quota of working days is fulfilled without causing any disruption to the curriculum. Furthermore, dummy and integrated schools tied up with coaching institutes for JEE and NEET preparation often organize mock tests, doubt sessions, or weekly examinations on Sundays. While regular teaching does not happen on Sundays in these coaching-integrated schools, students are required to visit the campus specifically for examinations.
