The Jharkhand government has ordered the closure of all schools across the state for students until Thursday, January 8, 2026. The directive, issued on Monday, cites the intensifying cold wave and plummeting temperatures as the primary reason, aiming to safeguard children's health.
Statewide Shutdown for Students
The shutdown is effective from Tuesday, January 6, and encompasses all educational institutions from pre-nursery to Class XII. This uniform order applies to government, private, and aided schools, overriding earlier district-level closures that were in place until January 6. The decision was formalized by the state's School Education and Literacy Department after a review of the harsh weather conditions.
"The decision has been taken considering the severe cold conditions prevailing in several parts of the state and their potential impact on children’s health," the official order stated. However, the closure is specific to students alone. Teachers and all non-teaching staff have been instructed to attend their schools as per the regular schedule during this period.
IMD's Yellow Alert and Plummeting Temperatures
Supporting the government's precautionary move, the Ranchi office of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for eight districts. The alert forecasts cold wave conditions until Wednesday in Lohardaga, Gumla, Latehar, Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra, Hazaribag, and Koderma.
Data from Monday highlighted the severity of the chill. Ranchi shivered at a minimum temperature of 6.6 degrees Celsius, with Daltonganj recording 6.3 degrees Celsius. Other major districts like Bokaro (8.5°C), Jamshedpur (11°C), and Chaibasa (11.6°C) also reported significantly low night temperatures. IMD officials attributed the increased cold discomfort to persistent chilly winds.
Exams, Monitoring, and Advisory
The government's notification included a provision for any pre-board examinations scheduled during this closure period. It stated that the competent authority concerned may take an appropriate decision regarding their conduct. Officials confirmed that the state administration is closely monitoring the weather situation and may issue further directives if required.
Parents and guardians have been advised to stay updated through official communications from their district administrations and the education department. The government's proactive measure underscores the priority given to student welfare amidst the challenging cold wave sweeping across Jharkhand.
