Kochi: In a move that has delighted football-loving students and parents alike, Gregorian Public School at Maradu in Kochi declared a holiday on Monday, July 20, the day following the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup final.

The school management decided to give the children a well-deserved break so they could stay up late on Sunday night to watch the grand finale without the anxiety of attending class early the next morning.

Football fever runs incredibly deep in Kerala, and the school’s unique gesture has been met with widespread applause across social media platforms. The decision aligns perfectly with the institution's ethos of balancing sports and education.

"We have always placed great importance on football alongside academics, which is reflected in our long-standing tradition of organising regular inter-school tournaments," a teacher at the school explained. "Given the incredible football fever gripping everyone, we simply decided to give the children a day off to enjoy this historic moment."

By prioritising the students' passion for the beautiful game and understanding that the late-night broadcast would make a regular school day impractical, the school management ensured that the children could fully immerse themselves in the global spectacle.