Patna: Government schools across Bihar will reopen on Monday after the summer vacation, with the state government extending the special morning schedule until June 30 in view of the continuing heatwave conditions.
The Education Department has decided to continue the revised school timings beyond the earlier deadline of May 31, citing concerns over extreme temperatures and the health and safety of students.
Under the revised arrangement, all government primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary schools across the state will function from 6:30 am to 12:30 pm until June 30.
The decision will affect nearly 80,000 government schools in Bihar.
According to the departmental order, morning assemblies, classroom teaching and the Mid-Day Meal programme will continue as per the existing schedule during the revised operating hours.
The Education Department stated that the extension was necessary due to the prevailing heatwave and severe weather conditions across several parts of the state.
In schools where a large number of students from Classes 1 to 8 make it difficult to serve mid-day meals simultaneously, headmasters have been authorised to divide students into groups to ensure smooth implementation of meal distribution and teaching activities.
The department clarified that schools will continue to operate under the special schedule until June 30. Thereafter, regular timings of 9:30 am to 4 pm will resume following the end of the summer season.
District Education Officers have also been empowered to modify school operations based on local weather conditions and the severity of the heat in their respective areas.
The Education Department has directed school principals and teachers to pay special attention to students’ health and safety by ensuring the availability of clean drinking water and implementing adequate measures to protect children from heat-related illnesses.
The move comes as several districts in Bihar continue to experience intense heat and heatwave conditions despite the early arrival of the southwest monsoon in parts of the state.
