In a timely move to shield students from the intense summer heat, the Odisha Government has rescheduled class timings across the state.
All educational institutions under the School and Mass Education Department — including government, government-aided and privately managed schools — will now operate from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM with immediate effect from today (2 April 2026) until the start of summer vacation.
The directive, by Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr N. Thirumala Naik, IAS, will be implemented every year during the summer months. Normal school hours will resume after the vacation, though District Collectors have been given flexibility to make further changes if local conditions demand.
The government has also laid down clear heat-mitigation guidelines for schools:
- Ensure round-the-clock availability of drinking water; repair tube wells inside school campuses wherever required.
- Introduce a daily “water bell” for a dedicated drinking-water break.
- Keep sufficient ORS packets in stock and provide them to students and staff as needed.
- Strictly restrict outdoor activities to prevent exposure to heat-wave conditions.
- Sensitise parents to send water bottles with their children and publicise the requirement widely.
- Allocate time during school hours to educate students on heat-wave precautionary measures.
The order has been circulated to all Collectors, Directors and concerned authorities for immediate compliance.
