In a recent announcement, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that all state-run and schools and colleges will be closed from tomorrow till Saturday (17th April - 22nd April 2023) due to the severe heatwave conditions prevailing in the region. The same has been advised for private institutions. The decision was made keeping in mind the safety and well-being of the students and staff members.
The temperature in the state has been consistently above 40 degrees Celsius for the past few days, with no signs of relief in the near future. This has raised concerns about the health risks posed by the scorching heat, especially for young children and teenagers who are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
The closure of schools and colleges will come into effect immediately and will affect thousands of students across the state. The government has also advised private educational institutions to follow suit and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of their students and staff members.
In addition to the closure of schools and colleges, the Chief Minister has urged people to take precautionary measures to stay safe during the heatwave. These include staying hydrated, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak hours of the day.
Parents have been informed by the schools about the switch to online classes this coming week after CM's announcement. Birla High School, Kolkata has sent the below message to its students: "Dear parents, please note that due to the prevailing heat conditions, classes will be conducted online on Google Classroom for the students of Classes I - V from Monday, 17th April till Friday, 21st April".
Taaza TV advises parents to re-confirm with their schools in case of any confusion regarding closure.