Odisha Govt Revises School Timings to Combat Intense Summer Heat

Bhubaneswar: In response to the escalating heatwave conditions, the Odisha government has rescheduled school timings for students across the state to safeguard their health during the peak summer months.

Shalini Pandit, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department, issued a directive to all district collectors, announcing that classes for students from Grade I to XII will now run from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, effective immediately. The decision comes as temperatures continue to rise, posing significant health risks such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke.

To further protect students and staff, schools have been instructed to ensure a steady supply of drinking water and keep Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets readily available. Outdoor activities have also been restricted to minimize exposure to extreme temperatures.

Parents have been advised to ensure their children carry water bottles to school, while educational institutions have been encouraged to allocate time for heatwave precautionary awareness sessions.