Several states across India have declared school closures, adjusted timings, or implemented early summer vacations due to severe heatwave conditions causing temperatures to exceed 45 degrees Celsius.
As the heatwave affects the nation, schools in various states are modifying their schedules to protect children from the intense heat. With extreme weather conditions impacting large areas of the country, many state governments and district administrations have opted for early summer vacations or rescheduled school hours to ensure student safety.
Temperatures have surged past 45 degrees Celsius in numerous regions of northern and central India, prompting authorities to take action due to concerns over dehydration and prolonged sun exposure, which could harm students’ health.
Education departments have acted swiftly following heatwave alerts issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) across multiple states.
Reasons for School Closures Due to Heatwave
State governments have raised alarms that ongoing heatwave warnings and high daytime temperatures have made school environments unsafe for children during regular hours. Authorities noted that children commuting to schools in the afternoon are at risk of dehydration, exhaustion, and heatstroke, leading to revised schedules or early summer breaks in various districts. Education departments have also advised schools to halt all outdoor sports activities during the heatwave and ensure adequate drinking water provisions for students before the summer holidays commence.
School Changes Announced in Bihar
In Bihar, the District Magistrate of Patna has imposed restrictions on school operations until further notice due to the ongoing heatwave. According to the issued orders, schools will be closed for classes up to standard V from May 22 to May 26, while classes from standard VI to standard VIII will have their timings limited to 10:30 AM during this period. This measure is aimed at protecting students from the dangers posed by high afternoon temperatures. Other districts in Bihar may also adjust school timings based on weather conditions in the coming days.
Upcoming School Holidays in Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, it has been announced that all schools under educational boards will commence summer holidays starting May 22. This decision was made by Lucknow District Magistrate Vishak G after reports indicated that some schools were operating against weather department advisories. Noida and Ghaziabad had already received directives to limit school hours to between 7 AM and 12 PM due to extreme afternoon heat prior to this announcement. Schools have been instructed to implement these timings immediately, prioritizing student safety.
States Declaring Summer Vacations
Multiple states in India have declared or extended summer school holidays in light of the extreme weather. Schools in Delhi are on break from May 11 to July 1, while those in Rajasthan are closed from May 17 to June 20. In Haryana, schools are expected to remain closed from June 1 to June 30. Punjab has announced holidays starting May 25, with schools likely to reopen on July 1. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh declared summer vacations from April 24 to June 11, and Odisha followed suit on April 27 due to severe heat. Chhattisgarh has one of the longest summer breaks this year, with schools closed from April 20 to June 15. In West Bengal, government-aided and sponsored schools will observe holidays from May 11 to May 31.
Safety Precautions for Schools
Education departments in various states have advised schools to conduct classes only in the morning hours. They have recommended providing safe drinking water and ensuring proper ventilation in classrooms while being vigilant for symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Health experts have urged parents to keep their children hydrated, avoid sun exposure during noon, and dress them in light-colored cotton clothing during the extreme heat. Weather departments will continue to monitor conditions closely for any decisions regarding the extension of school holidays.
