Bhubaneswar: In view of the rising day temperature, the State government has directed all schools in the state to reschedule their class timings from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM with immediate effect from today, until the commencement of summer vacation.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department, Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, has written to all District Collectors, instructing them to implement the new timings in all government, government-aided, and privately managed schools under the department.
The official letter states: “Government after careful consideration have been pleased to reschedule the timing of Classes in all Educational institutions… from 06:30 AM to 10:30 AM with effect from 2 April to commencement of summer vacation. This will remain in force every year.”
It further clarifies that all previous guidelines stand modified accordingly. After summer vacation, schools will revert to their normal timings as per earlier instructions. However, District Collectors and Magistrates have been empowered to reschedule timings in advance if the local heat-wave situation demands it.
Key Precautionary Measures Mandated by the Department: To effectively tackle the annual heat-wave challenges, the department has issued the following directives to all schools:
Drinking Water Availability: Ensure continuous supply of drinking water. Repair tube wells inside school campuses wherever necessary.
Daily Water Break: Introduce a fixed “water bell” time every day for students and staff to stay hydrated.
ORS Stock: Keep sufficient Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets in schools and provide them immediately to anyone showing signs of heat-related distress.
Restriction on Outdoor Activities: Strictly limit outdoor sports, assemblies, or other activities to prevent exposure to peak heat.
Parent Awareness: Sensitize parents to send their children with a full water bottle daily. This should be widely publicized through schools.
Student Education: Allocate time during school hours to educate students on heatwave precautionary tips and safety measures.
The move comes amid rising temperatures across Odisha, consistent with the department’s annual practice to safeguard the health and well-being of students during the summer months.
District administrations have been asked to ensure strict compliance and take all necessary actions at the local level.
