The order said all parents should be sensitised to ensure that their children carry a water bottle while going to school
Bhubaneswar: In view of the increase in day temperature, class timings in both govt and private schools have been rescheduled from Friday till the start of summer vacation. According to a govt order issued on Thursday, schools in Odisha will be open from 6.30 am to 10.30 am.School and mass education department on Thursday decided to reschedule the timing in all educational institutions under the department, including govt, govt-aided and privately-managed schools. This will remain in force every year, said the order.“After the summer vacation, school timing will continue normally as per guidelines issued earlier. However, district collectors can decide rescheduling of schools well in advance if the situation warrants,” said the letter issued by school and mass education department secretary N Thirumala Naik to all district collectors.He also asked them to ensure necessary steps to combat heatwave-like situation. “In all schools, extra care has to be taken to ensure availability of drinking water. Wherever required, tubewells inside the school campus may be repaired to ensure drinking water supply,” said Naik.He said there will be a drinking water break every day with water bell at a fixed time. “Sufficient ORS packets need to be kept in schools and provided to students or staff requiring the same.
Outdoor activities have to be restricted so that the students are not to be exposed to the heat wave,” said the department secretary in the letter.The order said all parents should be sensitised to ensure that their children carry a water bottle while going to school. This should be sufficiently publicised to create awareness among the parents. “Schools may also be advised to allocate some time during school hours to give heat wave precautionary tips to the students,” read the order.
