Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that in the last few days, children have been complaining of headache and other health problems after coming back from school.
Educational institutions including schools and colleges will remain closed next week in the state of West Bengal due to the severe heatwave in the state. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday, April 16, 2023, “The state government has urged all schools, colleges and universities including educational institutions and private institutions to declare holiday for this week due to heat wave ” The government has come amid rising heat across the state.
Notably, in the last few days, several states across the country including Delhi, Bihar and West Bengal have been recording temperatures near or above 40 degree Celsius. The Meteorological Department has also warned about heat waves in Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The department has also warned of a rise in temperature by 2-4 degree Celsius in many parts of the country.
Significantly, earlier on April 13, the West Bengal government had also postponed the summer vacation in the government schools of West Bengal. Summer vacations in government schools of West Bengal will now start from May 2 instead of May 24. The announcement came after the Met department warned of an expected rise in temperature in Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Paschim Bardhaman and Birbhum districts.
In view of the rising temperature in many parts of the country, various states have geared up to bring down the rising mercury levels and take measures to protect the people. Especially school going children. In a similar move, earlier on April 14, the district administration of Bihar capital Patna had asked the school administration of the city to revise the school timings amid the scorching heat.
On Thursday, April 13, the Delhi government issued detailed guidelines for schools in Delhi to follow, after cautioning about intense heat waves in the national capital over the next few days. Schools in consultation with the Directorate of Education (DoE) Delhi have been asked to ensure that no gatherings are held in the afternoon. It further states that children should be sensitized to protect themselves from heat, ensure proper availability of drinking water and water breaks in schools and if any student has a case of heat-related illness, refer them to the nearest hospital or hospital. Report to health facility.
