The State Government on Monday declared summer vacation for all Government and private schools from April 26 because of the continued heat wave. “For this year, we are announcing summer vacations for schools. The schools will reopen as usual every year in June after Raja festival,” said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.
“We will study the situation before reopening of schools. The loss in studies will be made up with extra classes on Saturdays after the classes resume,” he said, adding, “Even now if any schools have examinations going on, it can be done in the early morning or evening.” About the number of sunstroke deaths in the State, Mohapatra said there are four confirmed deaths so far.
“There were allegations of 88 cases of sunstroke deaths, out of which investigations for 32 cases are over. There are four confirmed deaths. Today, I have informed all district Collectors and Deputy Relief Commissioners to complete the probe as soon as possible.”
The SRC appealed to everyone to take precautions and avoid venturing out in the heat. Earlier, the Government had ordered closure of all schools from April 12 till April 20. This was later extended by six more days to April 26 as the heat wave persisted.