Bhubaneswar: Schools reopened in Odisha on Monday with revised timings. The government decided to reopen the schools that were closed for the intense heat wave sweeping the state for over a week now following the forecast of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) that there would be a slight drop in day temperatures from Monday.
The schools switched to morning classes from 7.00 am to 11.00 am on April 11 but the government ordered the closure of all schools in the state for five days in view of the intense heat wave across the state.
The government issued a notification on April 15 revising the school and college timings. The notification said that the educational institutions would commence classes 30 minutes earlier than the earlier schedule. Henceforth, morning classes will be held from 6.30 am to 11.00 am.
Meanwhile, the School and Mass Education Department has advised educational institutions to take precautions to deal with the extreme temperature. They have been directed to prepare glucose and ORS solutions for students, ensure the availability of drinking water and limit outdoor activities to prevent exposure to heatwave conditions.
“District Collectors can change the timings of the school if they feel as per the summer condition in their respective districts. In view of the heat wave condition, schools must make proper arrangements for drinking water and other facilities,” the notification read.
Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rain for several places in the state and issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms and lightning till April 21 morning. The day temperature may witness a slight fall by 2°C -3°C during the next three days with no major change thereafter.
