Amid a sharp rise in temperatures in many parts of India, state governments have started declaring summer vacations ahead of the usual schedule. Several
districts have ordered early closures as temperatures cross 40°C, while some states have revised schedules in response to heat alerts. The government on Thursday announced an early summer break schedule for schools across the state. This step was taken as the temperature crossed 40°C in several districts. According to Chhattisgarh’s School Education Department, summer holidays will now begin from April 20 and continue until June 15. This change has been implemented nearly two weeks earlier than the previously scheduled date of May 1. The order applies to all government, aided, private, and non-aided schools, although teachers are not included in this directive. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the decision was taken with the well-being of children in mind, emphasising that their safety remains the top priority during such extreme weather conditions. “Ensuring the safety of children during the severe heatwave is our top priority. Summer vacation has now been declared from April 20 to June 15, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of children amidst this scorching heat,” Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said in a post on X. Other states have also introduced measures to deal with the ongoing heatwave. Here is the list of all the states that have announced heatwave-related notifications for school students. In Uttarakhand, authorities have asked schools to ring ‘water bells’ at regular intervals. These breaks are to make sure students drink enough water during the daytime while they are in school and stay hydrated. The state has also told officials to ensure proper medical arrangements with medicines for heat-related problems. In Madhya Pradesh, especially in Satna district, timings for schools have been adjusted to avoid the peak afternoon heat. Schools will now run from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm, while teachers have to remain till 1:30 pm. This will help students avoid exposure to heat during the day. In Odisha, the government had earlier announced classes would be held in the morning starting April 3, after the temperature went up to around 40°C in some places. Schools across the state have been asked to run. Schools from across the state have been told to run from 6:30 am to 10:30 am. This schedule will continue until schools close for the summer. However, the authorities can adjust the timings further depending on weather conditions. In Keralam, the government has clearly warned schools not to hold classes during the summer vacation period. The Education Minister has further warned schools not to hold any special classes, calling it a violation of rules. In addition, he said that forcing children to attend classes could be harmful to their health and go against their rights. Meanwhile in Telangana, several steps have been taken to deal with the heatwave. Schools have been told to provide regular water breaks to the students, avoid holding classes in the open, and to keep students away from direct sun. In addition, places like malls and religious spots are being used as cooling centres. Anganwadi centres have also cut down their working hours, and will be open only till 11 am. This clearly shows how states are responding to how serious the heat situation is becoming and its effect on everyday life, especially for the school-going children.
