BHUBANESWAR: With Odisha reeling under intense heatwave, the state government on Friday announced summer vacation in all schools from April 27.
Taking into account the safety and well-being of students, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved the proposal for advancement of summer vacation submitted by the School and Mass Education (SME) department, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
As per the decision, all government, government-aided and private schools across Odisha will remain closed from April 27. The schools are likely to reopen around June 18 as per the academic calendar of the SME department. However, previously scheduled examinations, Census-related duties and other official work will continue as planned, officials said.
SME officials said the summer vacation for students usually starts after May first week. However, the move to advance the summer vacation was made considering the rising temperature across the state.
Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Chandra Pujari also informed that keeping in view the rising temperature, Anganwadi centres will also be closed and arrangements will be made for door-to-door supply of ration to the children.
School and Mass Education secretary N Thirumala Naik said teachers will attend roster duty during the vacation period and also carry out the task of timely distribution of books to the students.
A summer-learning programme will also be rolled out through formation of WhatsApp groups from Shishu Vatikas to Class 8. This will keep students engaged in learning activities and help them make productive use of their vacation period. The summer learning will include both practical work and audio-visual contents designed by the department, Naik said.
At least 24 stations on Thursday and over 20 stations on Friday recorded temperature of 40 degree Celsius and above in the state. The IMD has predicted increase in day time temperature to around 45 degree Celsius in some places of the state in the next few days.