Bhubaneswar: Amid the heatwave, Odisha’s School & Mass Education department on Thursday decided to reschedule school timings for government and privately-run institutions.
“The school timing for Class I to Class XII is rescheduled from 6.30 am to 10.30 am with immediate effect,” stated a notification sent to all collectors and district magistrates.
In the advisory, Shalini Pandit, Secretary of School & Mass Education Department, directed officials to keep ‘a close watch’ on weather conditions and modify school timings accordingly.
Officials have also been instructed to ensure availability of drinking water in all schools. If needed, tubewells within school campuses should be repaired to maintain an uninterrupted water supply.
Schools have been advised to stock sufficient ORS packets and provide those to students and staff as and when required.
Among other instructions issued are that outdoor activities should be restricted to prevent direct exposure to extreme temperatures, while parents also have to be sensitised to ensure children carry water bottles to school.
Officials have also been instructed to allot time during school hours to pass on heatwave precautionary tips to the students.
