Schools have advised students to relax at home and not step out unless necessary. Most schools have issued such circulars.

Teachers, too, have decided not to burden students with homework or assignments till schools reopen on August 20. “We do not want to pressure students,” said Abha Dharampal, principal, Utpal Sanghvi School, Juhu.

Janmashtami celebrations have been called off while Independence Day will be celebrated with staff.

Some principals like Rekha Vijaykar of Guru Har Kishan High School, Santacruz, are miffed with the government’s decision, saying the closure won’t be of much help. “What is the guarantee that it would be safe for students to return after seven days? We had already held awareness lectures for our children and even planned an environmental studies project during Independence Day celebrations. That, too, has been postponed.”

Completing the syllabus won’t be a problem as only three days would be lost, say principals.

For students of New Era School, Peddar Road, the closure follows a hard-fought reopening on the original premises. Manoj Doshi, a parent, said, “We were trying to catch up and cannot afford this delay. Teachers had been taking extra classes on Saturday and breaks reduced.”

For many schools, the break was forced in the middle of exams. Carl Laurie, principal, Christ Church School, Byculla, said most students would prepare for the exams during the break. “Five papers will be held as soon as school opens. Students have been informed of the new timetable,” he said.

Till Thursday morning, colleges had not received a government notice on shutting for swine flu. The University of Mumbai informed senior colleges about it on Thursday. Suhas Pednekar, principal, Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga, said, “Students skipped colleges but professors waited for them on Thursday.”