Bhubaneswar: With the threat of an early heatwave looming due to rising temperatures across Odisha, the state government is set to implement morning classes in schools as a key precautionary step to safeguard students’ health during summer months.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond informed on Saturday, stating that the decision aims to reduce children’s exposure to intense afternoon heat. The precise start date for the shifted schedule will be confirmed shortly following consultations in a high-level meeting involving the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
This initiative builds on past practices—in the previous year, morning classes were rolled out state-wide from April 2 in response to an unusually early and severe heatwave.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated a short-term relief, forecasting a temporary dip in maximum temperatures by 2–3°C over the next few days. However, the mercury is expected to climb back gradually in the subsequent period, with variations across districts.
The proposed change reflects broader efforts by the Odisha government to prioritize student well-being amid predictions of harsher summer weather. The Government has already issued heat-wave management guidelines for educational institutions, including rescheduling classes to cooler morning hours where feasible, ensuring availability of drinking water and ORS, and limiting outdoor activities during peak heat.
