Bhubaneswar: Amid rise in day temperature, the Odisha government has directed all schools across the state to hold morning classes to protect the students from intense heat.
As per the instruction, class timings should be from 6.30 am to 10.30 am with immediate effect till the commencement of summer vacation.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department, N Thirumala Naik, has written to all District Collectors, instructing them to implement the new timings in all government, government-aided, and privately managed schools functioning under the department.
The letter further clarifies that all previous guidelines stand modified accordingly. After summer vacation, schools will revert
to their normal timings as per earlier instructions. However, District Collectors and Magistrates have been empowered to reschedule timings in advance if the local heat-wave situation demands it.
To effectively tackle the annual heat-wave challenges, the department has issued the following directives to all schools:
Drinking Water Availability: Ensure continuous supply of drinking water. Repair tube wells inside school campuses wherever necessary.
Daily Water Break: Introduce a fixed “water bell” time every day for students and staff to stay hydrated.
ORS Stock: Keep sufficient Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets in schools and provide them immediately to anyone showing signs of heat-related distress.
Restriction on Outdoor Activities: Strictly limit outdoor sports, assemblies, or other activities to prevent exposure to peak heat.
Parent Awareness: Sensitize parents to send their children with a full water bottle daily. This should be widely publicized through schools.
Student Education: Allocate time during school hours to educate students on heatwave precautionary tips and safety measures.