BHUBANESWAR: The School and Mass Education Department of Odisha on March 20 decided to reschedule the school timings for all the government and privately-run institutions in the State, owing to the sweltering heat conditions.
“The school timing for Class I to Class XII is rescheduled from 6.30 am to 10.30 am with immediate effect,” said a notification sent to all Collectors and District Magistrates.
In an advisory, Shalini Pandit, Secretary of School & Mass Education Department, directed the officials to keep a close watch on weather conditions and modify school timings accordingly.
The officials have also been instructed to ensure availability of drinking water in all schools. If needed, tubewells within school campuses should be repaired to ensure an uninterrupted water supply.
Schools have been advised to stock sufficient ORS packets and provide those to students and staff as and when required.
Among other instructions issued are that outdoor activities should be restricted to prevent direct exposure to extreme temperatures, while parents need to be sensitised to ensure that children carry water bottles to school.
#Odisha | Government has revised school timings for Classes I to XII in response to the #heatwave situation.
As per the notification issued by the School and Mass Education Department, classes will now function from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/Lxtm8g3J9b
— DD News (@DDNewslive) March 20, 2025
Officials have also been instructed to allot time during school hours to pass on heatwave precautionary tips to the students.
“After careful consideration, Odisha government has been pleased to take the following measures along with rescheduling of the timing of classes in all educational institutions under the School and Mass Education Department i.e. government, government-aided and privately managed schools to mitigate Heat Wave situation in the State during Summer-2O25,” the notification said.
Schools may also be advised to allocate some time during school hours to give heat wave precautionary tips to the students, the S&ME notification said.
As per Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, morning classes were to be held from April 2, 2025, which has now been changed.
The government has also announced revised operating hours for Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) across the State. A circular from the Department of Women & Child Development dated March 18 and marked as ‘MOST URGENT’ directed the District Collectors to implement the changes immediately.
According to the revised schedule, Anganwadi Centres operating in their own buildings or other fully designated spaces will function from 7 am to 9 am, instead of the usual 9 am to 2 pm.