Early vacation for schools on the cards

 In case of a spike in heat in the coming days, schoolchildren may get an early summer vacation in Delhi, which experienced the hottest day of the season so far on Tuesday with a maximum temperature of 41 degree Celsius.

The Delhi Education Department is keeping a close watch on daily weather and may issue directions to schools for advancing the summer holidays to protect kids if the heat becomes unbearable, an official said.

Chief Secretary S K Srivastava told Deccan Herald that the administration was alive to the need to protect schoolchildren from heat wave. 

“There is no need to intervene at this stage. We are keeping a close watch on the heat and act when required,” he said.

He said that if needed, the Education Department may even suggest schools to announce summer vacations early.

Worried parents of schoolchildren these days are doing their best to shield their wards from the scorching sun.

Parents are protecing the kids by giving them extra coat of sun screen lotion, insisting on use of umbrellas for shade in the afternoon and packing extra bottles of water in school bags for adequate hydration.

Education Directorate officials said that as per the normal school calendar, most institutions start their summer vacations in the third week of May.

“In the interest of students, schools may be advised to start summer vacations early and resume classes a week earlier than July 1, when post-holiday session begins,” an official said.

Officials in Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung’s secretariat also confirmed that a reference was made before Jung on the issue.

“The Lieutenant Governor indicated that there may not be a need to press a panic button,” an official said.

He also added that Jung asked officials in the Education Department to keep a close watch on heat conditions and take prompt decision if the situation demands.

New record

On Wednesday, the mercury may set the record for the hottest day with the Met department forecast that the maximum temperature may hover around  42 degree Celsius.

Tuesday was the hottest April 29 in the city since 2010. In that year too on this day the maximum temperature was 41 degree Celsius. 

In 2009, the maximum temperature on April 29 was 42 degree Celsius.