Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has rescheduled the school timings to mitigate the heat wave situation in the state during summer 2025.
Shalini Pandit, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of School and Mass Education Department, issued a directive to all collectors, outlining the new measures.
As part of these measures, the school timing for Class I to XII has been rescheduled from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, with immediate effect. The decision aims to protect students from the scorching heat, which can lead to severe health issues, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
In addition to the revised timings, schools have been instructed to ensure the availability of drinking water and provide sufficient ORS packets to students and staff as needed.
Similarly, outdoor activities will be restricted to prevent exposure to heat wave conditions. Parents have also been advised to ensure their children carry a water bottle to school, and schools may allocate time to provide heat wave precautionary tips to students.
The government has also authorized collectors and district magistrates to modify school timings based on local weather conditions.