Lucknow: Amid rising temperatures, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended all outdoor activities held under the scorching sun in state-run schools. In a set of directives issued by the basic education department, schools have been asked to conduct morning assemblies inside classrooms.
Restrictions on Outdoor Activities
Outdoor activities have been restricted until 9 am. All government schools have been directed to ensure adequate arrangements for clean drinking water and functional fans in classrooms.
Applicability and Awareness
The directives, applicable to primary, upper primary, composite and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), state that teachers should encourage children to drink water at regular intervals and make them aware of preventive measures against heatwaves.
The directives also mention that children should be educated about symptoms of heatwave-related illnesses through assemblies and classroom activities. Teachers have been asked to closely monitor signs like fainting, dizziness, muscle cramps, headache, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting, and take timely action.
Precautionary Measures
It said children should be prevented from playing or going outside unnecessarily in extreme heat. If students show symptoms of heatstroke, they should be immediately moved to a shaded or cool place, allowed to rest, their clothing loosened, and cold water should be sprinkled on their body. In serious cases, immediate contact should be made with the nearest health centre or the 108 ambulance service.
Facilities and First-Aid
Schools have been directed to ensure proper functioning of fans, availability of clean toilets and quality of mid-day meals. First-aid kits must include ORS and medicines for fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. The guidelines also encourage children not to eat junk or stale food and to consume lassi, buttermilk and lemon water.
Director General of School Education (DGSE) Monika Rani emphasized that the safety of children is paramount and all schools should ensure 100% compliance with the heatwave guidelines so that every student remains safe and healthy during the existing hot conditions.
