Due to an intense heat wave occurring in Northern and Central parts of India, the temperatures have risen drastically to 42°C to 45°C, which has necessitated action from the authorities for protecting the young students. A number of strategies have been employed such as the shifting of summer holidays, adoption of morning school timings, and closure of schools.
Uttar Pradesh (Noida, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj and Lucknow)
Pursuant to new directives, schools in key areas like Noida and Lucknow have adopted school timings between 7:30 am and 12:30 pm for children enrolled in CBSE, ICSE, and UP Board examinations. Such measures are meant to ensure that young children return back home during cooler times when temperatures rise high by noon time. The commencement of summer vacation period is anticipated around May 20 in places like Noida.
Uttarakhand (Dehradun)
The plains of Uttarakhand are experiencing temperatures nearly 5°C above the seasonal norm. In Dehradun, where the mercury hit 39.2°C, the district administration ordered all schools and Anganwadi centres to close on April 27. While a reopening is anticipated for April 28, officials are monitoring conditions closely, particularly as towns like Pantnagar record even higher temperatures.
Delhi
In the capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has mandated that all schools provide a compliance report by May 2 regarding heatwave safety. The Delhi administration has initiated the “water bell” program, which involves ringing a bell at intervals of 45 to 60 minutes to remind children to drink water. The schools have also adopted the “buddy” program, allowing children to watch out for each other’s health status. Outdoor assembly programs and physical activities have been stopped, and the summer holidays may stretch to as long as 50 days this year.
Bihar (Patna)
In Patna, District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM has restricted school hours for students up to Class 8. Starting April 27, all academic activities must cease by 11:30 am. This restriction is currently set to remain in place until at least 30 April to safeguard younger children from the extreme weather.
Jharkhand
The Department of School Education and Literacy has split timings based on age groups. For those in KG to Class 8, the school day now runs from 7:00 am to 11:30 am, while senior students in Classes 9 to 12 are permitted to stay until midday. Local authorities in the worst-hit districts have also been given the discretion to order temporary closures.
Rajasthan (including Kota)
District collectors across Rajasthan have been adjusting hours on a local basis. In Sikar and Ajmer, primary schools are now wrapping up by 11:30 am and 12 noon respectively. In Kota, District Collector Shri Piyush Samaria has ordered a uniform schedule of 7:30 am to 12:30 pm for all classes from 1 to 12 until further notice.
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
Both states have moved to early morning shifts to beat the heat. Schools in Madhya Pradesh are generally operating from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm, while Maharashtra has opted for a slightly earlier finish, with classes running from 7:00 am to 11:15 am.
Early Summer Vacations: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal
Several states have decided to bypass schedule changes in favour of early holidays. In Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that summer break would commence on April 27. Chhattisgarh has followed suit, moving its holidays forward to run from April 20 to June 15. West Bengal had already shut most schools by April 22, though institutions in cooler hill stations like Darjeeling remain open.
Tripura
The state government in Tripura has mandated a full closure of schools from April 24 through to May 1 in response to the regional climate warnings.
Apart from just shifting timings, other practical methods have been used by the officials to mitigate the danger:
The "Water Bell" technique has been implemented in Delhi and Uttarakhand for avoiding dehydration.
Outdoor physical activity and meetings are forbidden from 11 am to 4 pm.
Increased importance of maintaining proper classroom ventilation and providing unlimited clean drinking water at all times.
Schools must keep first aid kits and "nodal teachers" for heat-related concerns.
Also read: Punjab, Chandigarh reel under intense heatwave
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