Heatwave forces 40-day school closure across North India

Intense heatwaves and soaring temperatures have led to the closure of schools in several regions across the country. Temperatures ranging between 40 and 47 degrees Celsius have been recorded in various locations such as Agra, Kanpur, and Noida. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave alerts for states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana.

In response to these extreme conditions, schools in Uttar Pradesh (UP) have announced a month-long holiday starting May 20, 2024. Schools are set to reopen on June 18, 2024. During this period, assignments will be distributed via an online application to ensure continuous learning over the summer break. Both government and private schools will adhere to this directive, with private institutions initiating their summer breaks between May 20 and May 25.

The UP Education Department has confirmed that all primary schools will commence their summer vacations from May 20, 2024, due to the severe heat. The majority of private schools in Delhi-NCR’s Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad marked their last working day on Friday, with schools set to reopen in approximately 40 days. While some will resume on June 18, others will reopen in the last week of June or the first week of July.

Delhi is also under a heatwave alert, with the government and government schools announcing their summer break dates. The summer break timetable has been made public, affecting the majority of private institutions as well. This proactive measure aims to safeguard the health and well-being of students during the intense heatwave conditions.

Overall, the education departments across these regions are prioritising the safety of students and staff by adjusting academic schedules to mitigate the impact of the extreme temperatures. The use of online applications for assignments will help maintain educational continuity during the extended break.