Bhubaneswar: In view of the intense heatwave conditions, the Odisha government has announced summer vacation for school children, starting Wednesday.
“All government and private educational institutions, including Anganwadi centres, Sishu Vatika, and schools up to Class XII, will remain closed across the state from April 23 to ensure the safety and health of children,” an official release said.
The decision was taken after Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi held a review meeting.
The severe heatwave has led to a significant rise in daytime temperature in the state with Jharsuguda recording an all-time high of 46.2°C for April on Tuesday.
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The release further stated that arrangements have been made to provide dry food to Anganwadi children at their homes during this period.
Both government and private college students will also remain closed from April 23 till further orders. However, pre-scheduled examinations will be conducted as planned, and the concerned authorities have been instructed to take necessary precautions, it added.
The review meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Works, Law, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, School and Mass Education and Scheduled Tribes and Caste Development Minister Nityananda Gond, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Satyabrata Sahu, DGP Y B Khurania, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Deoranjan Kumar Singh, and other senior officials.