The Ministry of Education on Wednesday issued guidelines to schools for combating the heatwave, asking them to modify timings and reduce the number of school hours each day.
Schools can also relax uniforms norms and allow canvas shoes instead of leather ones, the order stated.
The Ministry asked the schools to ensure that fans were functional and there was power back-up. Restricting outdoor activities, stocking up on ORS and glucose sachets and constantly motivating children to stay hydrated are among the steps schools are taking because of the heatwave assailing Delhi-NCR.
However, closing schools due to the heatwave is not an option as offline classes have started from the new session after nearly two years due to the Covid-induced pandemic.
Regarding school transportation, the Government has advised that buses and vans should not be overcrowded and students coming to school on foot/rickshaws/bicycles should be advised to keep their heads covered. School buses and vans should be parked in a shaded area. It also suggested that parents should be sensitised to pick-up the students themselves, to the extent possible, to avoid public transport and minimise their time out in the sun. In regards to the Exam Centres for ongoing secondary school examinations, it asked the schools to allow children to bring their own transparent water bottle in the examination hall besides examination centres should ensure availability of potable drinking water which is easily accessible to the candidates at the centres. In addition to the above, residential schools should take additional measures like essential medicines for common ailments related with the summer season should be available with the school nurse. Students may be made aware regarding prevention of heat stroke; windows in the dormitories should be provided with curtains; lemon, butter milk and seasonal fruits with high water content should be included in the diet and spicy food should be avoided.