With the national capital reeling under an intense heatwave, the Delhi government on Monday issued a directive for all private and government-aided schools that have not yet closed for summer vacations to do so immediately.
In an official circular, the Directorate of Education reiterated that all schools were originally instructed to observe summer vacations from May 11 to June 30 for the current academic year.
"...all the govt. schools are closed w.e.f. 11.05.24. However, it has been observed that some of the govt. aided and unaided recognised private schools are still open during ongoing severe heat waves," the circular stated. "Therefore, all the heads of govt. aided and unaided recognised private schools of Delhi are advised to close the schools for summer vacation with immediate effect."
The decision comes as Delhi experiences a relentless rise in temperatures, culminating in a peak of 44.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday – the highest recorded this summer.
This marked a significant increase from 43.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 42.5 degrees Celsius on Friday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued heatwave conditions across many parts of Delhi, with some areas expected to experience severe heatwave conditions.
A red alert has been issued for the next five days, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The directive aims to safeguard the health and well-being of students amid the extreme weather.
The closure applies to all government-aided and unaided recognised private schools in the city, following the precedent already set by government schools.
Parents and school authorities are urged to ensure that children stay hydrated and avoid exposure to the sun during peak hours. The IMD has advised people to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the adverse effects of the heatwave.
As the capital braces for a challenging week ahead, the emphasis remains on prioritising safety and health in the face of escalating temperatures.
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