Patna, April 21 (IANS) In relief for school-going children amid the prevailing heatwave, District Magistrate Dr Thiyagarajan S. M. has revised school timings for classes up to Grade 8 across all government and private schools in Patna district.
According to the official order issued on Tuesday, academic activities for students from pre-primary to Class 5 — including those attending Anganwadi centres — must conclude by 11.30 a.m. No classes for these grades will be permitted beyond this time.
Similarly, for students up to Class 8, educational activities have been restricted after 12.30 p.m.
However, no changes have been announced for classes above Grade 8, which will continue to function as per the existing schedule. The revised timings will remain in effect from Wednesday, April 22, to Saturday, April 25.
The decision has been taken in view of the rising temperatures and intense afternoon heat, which pose potential health risks to young children.
District authorities stated that the measure aims to safeguard students’ health and well-being during the ongoing heatwave conditions.
The daytime temperature in Patna has already touched 40 degrees Celsius. According to the India Meteorological Department, temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming days, raising concerns about an impending heatwave.
Over the past week, the intensity of heat across Bihar has been steadily increasing. In several districts of South Bihar and parts of western North Bihar, the persistent rise in temperature has created conditions favourable for heatwaves and heatstroke.
At least 11 districts in the state have recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, with the mercury soaring as high as 43.3 degrees in some areas.
In the state capital, Patna, a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius was recorded on Tuesday, approximately 2 degrees above the normal average.
Amid these rising temperatures, the district administration has taken precautionary measures, including revising school timings, to safeguard students from the adverse effects of extreme heat.
–IANS
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