Patna: School schedules for younger students have been curtailed across several districts in Bihar as authorities respond to intensifying heatwave conditions.
After similar measures in Patna, district administrations in Saran, Arwal, Bhojpur, Gaya and Sheikhpura have issued orders limiting school hours for primary classes, citing risks to children’s health.
Early Closure For Primary Students
In Saran (Chapra), district magistrate Vaibhav Srivastava has directed that all classes up to grade 5 must end by 11:30 AM, while students up to grade 8 are to be dismissed before 12:30 PM. The order applies to both government and private schools, including anganwadi centres, from April 24 to April 28.
A similar directive has been issued in Arwal by district magistrate Amrisha Bains, where classes up to grade 5 must conclude by 11:30 AM and those up to grade 8 by 12:30 PM. The order will remain in force until April 30.
Restrictions Extend To More Districts
In Sheikhpura, district magistrate Shekhar Anand has set school timings for younger students between 6:30 AM and 11:30 AM, prohibiting classes beyond that time.
Authorities in Gaya and Bhojpur have also enforced similar restrictions for primary classes, while Patna continues to follow its earlier order mandating closure for younger students by 12:30 PM.
Heatwave Alerts Intensify
The India Meteorological Department has issued heatwave warnings for several parts of the state, with orange and yellow alerts in place for districts in south Bihar.
Officials said temperatures are expected to remain high over the next few days, with only limited relief anticipated later in the week.
Focus On Student Safety
District administrations said the measures were necessary to protect children from extreme afternoon heat, which poses health risks such as dehydration and heatstroke.
While government schools had already shifted to morning schedules, the latest directives ensure uniform compliance across private institutions as well.
Authorities indicated that similar restrictions could be extended to more districts if heat conditions worsen.
