23-04-2025
Schools revise timings as heatwave grips city
Ranchi | Jamshedpur: Rising temperatures have forced a few schools in Ranchi and Jamshedpur to modify their class timings, while others await govt orders.
Several schools in the capital city start classes early to avoid peak heat hours.
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Bishop Westcott Girls Schools (Namkum and Doranda) and Bishop Westcott Boys School Namkum have shifted from 7.30am-12.30pm to 6:30 am-11:30 am schedule. Oxford Public School and Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir begin classes at 7:00 am and end at 1pm instead of their regular 8am-2pm. Firayal Public School and DAV Alok will hold classes from 7am to 1pm from next Monday, an hour before their regular hours.
Institutions, including Jawahar Vidya Mandir Shyamali, Delhi Public School, DAV Public School Bariatu, Surendranath Centenary School, and Cambrian Public School, are awaiting the deputy commissioner's directive on the issue.
"The timing revision primarily aims to avoid peak heat hours and prevent heat-related illnesses among students. Early classes ensure a more comfortable learning environment," said Ravi Shekhar, academic coordinator, Oxford Public School.
Ranchi-based Jharkhand Parents' Association president Ajay Roy said, "We requested schools to revise their timings. While some schools await the DC's order, we urge prompt action for students' welfare."
Schools are adopting different strategies based on their specific needs and student demographics.
In Jamshedpur, several English-medium schools, including Loyola School Jamshedpur, DBMS English High School, Vidya Bharati Chinmaya School, Carmel Junior College, Kerala Public School Kadma, and St. Mary's English School Bistupur, have revised their timings from 6:30 am-1.30 pm to 6.30 am-11:45 am.
Loyola School principal Fr Vinod Fernandez said that while senior section classes were previously held until 1:30 pm, the rising temperatures prompted the shift to morning hours.
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Parents' body urged the govt to issue a notification mandating morning shifts for both private and govt schools. "The education department should also direct schools to maintain adequate stocks of oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets and ice packs," said Jamshedpur Abhibhavak Sangh president Umesh Kumar.
Parents expressed concern about transportation difficulties during peak heat hours. "Children travelling in overcrowded pick-up vans and auto-rickshaws face discomfort in the hot weather conditions, while those on bikes are directly exposed to the blazing sun," said Tarkeshwar Kumar, a parent.
St Mary's English School principal Vernon D'Souza on Wednesday told students to stay hydrated. School spokesperson A K Pandey said they have arranged adequate water containers, ice packs, and ORS packets.
District civil surgeon Dr Sahir Pall said hospitals have been directed to set up ORS corners and maintain stocks of essential medicines, ice packs, and intravenous fluids in response to the rising temperatures.
The Ranchi office of the India Meteorological Department said the maximum temperature is expected to remain at 43°C til April 26. The city recorded 43°C on Tuesday, which rose to 46.2°C on Wednesday.
