Mangaluru: Following criticism over the reduction of mid-term vacation for schools in the district to eight days, Deputy Director of Public Instruction Y. Shivaramaiah on Thursday modified his earlier order and said the vacation will be between October 7 and October 21.

While declaring the mid-term vacation between October 7 and October 21, the State government had empowered Deputy Directors of Public Instruction to make changes to meet local exigencies.

Following loss of working days because of heavy rain in August, Mr. Shivaramaiah on September 3 changed the vacation from October 14 to October 21.

This move was criticised by social organisations and by Karnataka State Primary School Teachers Association.

On Thursday, district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader told reporters that there will be no reduction in the vacation. Mr. Shivaramaiah issued the revised notification on Thursday evening.

In the revised notification, Mr. Shivaramaiah said the loss of working days due to holidays following heavy rains will be made good by making Saturdays full working days till February 2019.

While directing schools to cut down holidays for local reasons, the officer directed them to revise the academic calender and complete portions within the prescribed period.