As heatwave sweeps across Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath government has extended the summer vacation in schools till June 26 to provide relief to the children and save them from the possibility of sunstroke.

Earlier, the schools were scheduled to reopen after summer vacation on June 15. The schools will, however, open for one day on June 21 on the occasion of International Yoga Day.

A notification has been issued by the Uttar Pradesh Basic Shiksha Parishad, saying that the schools will remain closed till June 26 and will reopen on June 27.

The school management committee will be authorised to take decisions regarding summer vacation in recognised schools run under the Basic Shiksha Parishad. As per the order issued in December 2022, summer vacation in basic schools was declared for 27 days and winter vacation for 15 days.

Before the school reopens on June 27, instructions for sanitation, cleanliness of toilets, arrangement for pure drinking water and proper seating arrangements should be ensured for students of the school.

Director General, School Education, Vijay Kiran Anand, said, “There is a forecast of extreme heat conditions with possibility of sunstroke due to exposure to the sun in the state in the next few days. Extreme heat can have adverse effects on young children. Keeping this in mind, the summer vacation has been extended till June 26. Classes will start from June 27. Till then the children of basic schools will continue their study and do the homework given for the summer vacation through Diksha app. Yellow alert has been issued as the Meteorological department warns of severe heat waves in many districts of the state.”

However, the schools will open for a day on June 21 – the International Yoga Day. Sweets and fruits will be distributed among the students on that day.