The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a comprehensive heatwave safety protocol for students ahead of the reopening of schools in the new academic session, directing educational institutions to adopt preventive measures to protect them from extreme heat.
The Basic Education Department has released the ‘Teachers’ Guideline-2026 for Sensitising Students Towards Heat-related Illnesses’ under the directions of Additional Chief Secretary Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma. The guidelines aim to help teachers identify symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, provide first aid, and educate students on staying safe during heatwaves.
Schools Told To Prepare Heat Action Plans
Schools have been instructed to prepare a School Heat Action Plan and appoint Health
Nodal Teachers to oversee heatwave-related measures. Awareness campaigns will be conducted through morning assemblies, classroom sessions and posters highlighting heat safety dos and don’ts.
The government has directed schools to ensure uninterrupted access to clean drinking water, encourage students to drink water every 20 to 30 minutes and ask them to carry water bottles. Morning assemblies, sports and other outdoor activities must be completed before 10 am, while all strenuous outdoor activities will remain suspended during ‘Orange’ or ‘Red’ heatwave alerts.
Teachers To Monitor Heat-Related Illnesses
Schools have also been asked to maintain first aid kits, ORS, digital thermometers and emergency medical contact details, including the 108 ambulance service. Adequate ventilation, functional fans, shaded spaces, plantation drives and, wherever possible, cool roofs or reflective paint have also been recommended.
The guidelines advise students to wear light-coloured cotton clothes, use caps or umbrellas, and consume water-rich seasonal fruits while avoiding caffeinated, carbonated and sugary drinks.
Teachers have been instructed to immediately shift students showing signs of heat-related illness to a shaded area, administer first aid and seek medical assistance if necessary. Schools have also been directed to closely monitor vulnerable children, track weather alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department and conduct periodic mock drills to improve preparedness.
