As West Bengal endures an unrelenting heatwave in mid-June, with no respite from the long-delayed monsoon, the state government has ordered a two-day closure of all government and government-aided schools. The shutdown, announced by the state Education Department, will be in effect on Friday and Saturday, and will apply across the state—excluding schools in the hilly regions.
The directive was formally announced by Education Minister Bratya Basu through social media on Wednesday evening. He confirmed that urgent instructions are being sent to all concerned schools, citing rising concerns over the health and safety of students, particularly younger children.
This decision comes shortly after schools reopened across the state following the annual summer vacation. With soaring daytime temperatures and no sign of rain, there had been growing appeals from teachers and parents to revise school timings—especially for primary sections—to early morning hours. Instead of implementing a revised schedule, the government has opted for a complete two-day suspension of classes as a precautionary measure.
Officials in the Education Department indicated that the move is primarily aimed at protecting young students from the extreme heat, particularly during peak hours and the mid-day meal period, when many children are exposed to direct sunlight while moving across open school campuses. The closure is expected to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses among students, especially in districts where temperatures have been reaching alarming levels.
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Earlier forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had suggested that the southwest monsoon might arrive in West Bengal by the end of May. However, changing weather patterns have delayed its onset, leaving the state sweltering under intense heat well into June. The IMD now anticipates that the monsoon axis could begin activating over eastern and central India, including surrounding areas, by June 14. If the forecast is accurate, Bengal may see its first monsoon showers sometime after June 16.
The government’s decision is also seen as a preparatory step ahead of the expected shift in weather patterns. Rather than modifying daily schedules amid uncertainty, the authorities have opted for a short-term closure in the hope that conditions will ease by early next week.
As the heatwave continues to impact daily life across the state, school administrators remain vigilant. The Education Department is likely to reassess the situation based on updated meteorological inputs. Parents and educators are now looking to the skies, hoping the arrival of the monsoon will bring not only cooler temperatures but much-needed relief for children heading back to school.
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