The Ministry of Education has issued guidelines to schools to deal with the heat wave. This comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of a fresh round of heatwave in northwest and central India.
A scorching heat had raised the mercury in large areas of India with the temperature rising to 46 degree Celsius in Delhi. The national capital also recorded its second warmest April in 72 years, with a monthly average maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius.
Government guidelines for schools in the middle of summer
1) Schools may relax norms regarding uniforms and canvas shoes may be allowed instead of leather, said guidelines
2) The education ministry guidelines asked schools to revise timings and reduce the number of school hours each day.
3) The ministry also said that schools should ensure that fans are working and can also make arrangements for power backup.
4) “School hours may start early and end before noon. Timings can be from 7.00 am. The number of school hours per day may be reduced,” the guidelines stated.
5) Sports and other outdoor activities that expose students to direct sunlight can be accommodated appropriately in the early morning, added the guidelines.
6) “School meetings should be held in covered areas or classrooms with less time. Similar care can be taken during dispensers after school is over.”
The Centre’s guidelines came after parents of children studying in Delhi schools had requested the government last week to either revise the timings or to extend the summer vacations. heatwave,
However, closure of schools due to heatwave is not an option as suggested by experts as offline classes have started from the new session after almost two years due to the Covid-induced pandemic.