Cuttack: Amid the prevailing sultry weather conditions, the Cuttack administration has ordered the immediate closure of all government, aided, and private schools, colleges, and anganwadi centres from April 21 to April 23.
The move aims to protect students, teachers, and staff from extreme temperatures, with similar precautions implemented in multiple districts across the state.
According to an official order issued by the Collector, physical classes will remain suspended during this period. However, teachers are required to report to schools and conduct online classes to ensure the academic syllabus is not disrupted. Colleges in the district will also stay closed for regular activities, though scheduled examinations will proceed as planned.
Anganwadi centres have been directed to switch to distributing take-home rations rather than providing cooked meals on-site, minimising the need for children and workers to gather outdoors in the heat. Census enumerators have been instructed to continue their fieldwork while strictly following heatwave safety protocols, such as staying hydrated and avoiding peak afternoon hours.
The administration had earlier advanced the closure timings of schools and anganwadi centres to 9 am.
Similarly in Puri, all government, government-aided and private schools, having classes from Sishu Vatika to Class XII, will remain closed till 23. Supplementary examinations for Class V and Class VIII, however, will be conducted as per the schedule issued by the OSEPA. Schools have been asked to ensure adequate supply of drinking water, ORS, first-aid, ventilation and other arrangements for the safety and security of the examinees. “Admissions, administrative functions, census/SIR duty and other essential school activities shall continue as usual during this period. Teaching and non-teaching staff shall attend schools as per the existing instructions,” the order added.
