Amid forecasts of impending heat waves across the country, numerous state governments have issued advisories and asked schools and institutions to either stay closed or modify their schedules to ensure the safety of their students during the ongoing summer season. In many parts of India, the temperature has already surpassed 40 degrees Celsius. IMD defines a day as a heatwave day when the peak temperature hits at least 40 degrees Celsius and is at least 4.5 degrees above average.
General guidelines for schools during the scorching heat include ensuring mandatory water breaks for students along with proper access to drinking water. Here are the states that have issued directives, requested the closure of schools, or altered the timing of classes in preparation for impending heat waves across India.
Maharashtra State Board Schools to Remain Shut
All schools affiliated with the state board in Maharashtra will remain closed from April 21 due to heat waves, the government has said. Schools of other boards can take a decision about closure after considering their curriculum and activities, the School Education Department said in its order.
Government And Private School Timings Changed In Varanasi
The sweltering temperatures in the state of Uttar Pradesh have led to school timings being modified in Varanasi. Schools in Varanasi will now begin at 7 AM and go on until 11:30 AM. This timing will be applicable to government-run schools as well as private schools.
Delhi Government Guidelines for school assemblies
The Delhi government issued a circular instructing all schools recognised by the Directorate of Education in Delhi to take precautions to ensure the safety of their students all through the upcoming summer season. Schools have been advised to ensure that no student assemblies take place during the afternoon shift due to temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius.
West Bengal Schools, Colleges Shut down till April 22
Due to the extreme heat wave in the state, West Bengal’s schools, colleges, and universities have been directed to remain closed from Monday, April 17, to Saturday, April 22, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. The summer break had previously been pre-poned by the state administration owing to the extreme heat. Summer break will begin on May 2 in West Bengal government and aided schools, instead of on May 24 as previously scheduled.
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Patna Schools Revise School Hours Amid Heatwave
The Patna district administration ordered all school authorities in Bihar’s capital to change their schedules after the Met department issued a warning about extreme temperatures during the ensuing few days. The guidelines stated that the district administration forbids academic activity for any classes (including those in preschools and Anganwadi centres) in any district schools after 10.45 AM starting April 19.
Odisha Schools To Begin Morning Classes From 7 AM
Given the extreme heat in the region, the state government of Odisha has given district collectors permission to call for revisions in the timings of school.
Classes in the morning for students in Classes 1 through 12 are now scheduled from 7 AM to 11.30 AM throughout the state. The state government also issued an order that directed all schools and Anganwadi centres to remain shut on April 19 and 20 due to the extreme temperatures.
Tripura CM Announces Closure of Schools from April 18
Manik Shaha, the chief minister of Tripura, has ordered that all government schools in the state be closed from April 18 to April 23 owing to extreme heat. Shaha has also requested that private schools be closed for the same period of time owing to the heat wave.
The state government of Jharkhand announced a change in school hours starting April 19 to April 25. According to a directive from the education department, children who are in kindergarten through class five will attend classes from 7 AM to 11 AM, while senior students will continue their classes until noon.
Meghalaya Schools to Shut Down from April 19-21
Due to soaring temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius, the West Garo Hills district administration in Meghalaya has ordered that all primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools in the region be closed for three days from April 19–21. The decision was made to ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff.
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