Bhubaneswar: As temperatures continue to soar across Odisha, the state government is considering preponing summer vacation in schools, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced on Thursday.
A final decision is expected within a day or two, following a meeting with the Special Relief Commissioner and the Chief Minister, Pujari added.
Speaking to mediapersons, Pujari said a meeting was held on Thursday with the Special Relief Commissioner and officials from the School and Mass Education and Higher Education departments to review the heatwave situation. “Many districts are recording temperatures above 40°C, and there is no immediate relief in sight,” he stated.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond noted that the usual schedule for summer holidays is from May 6 to June 17. “However, considering the existing situation, summer vacation may be announced earlier,” he said.
Pujari also mentioned that anganwadis (childcare centers) may be closed if conditions persist, with children receiving take-home rations instead.
Meanwhile, the Khurda district collector has directed schools and anganwadi centers to operate from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM starting Friday to avoid peak heat hours. In Dhenkanal, all government and private educational institutions, including anganwadis, will remain closed until further orders due to the ongoing heatwave.
