Heatwave prompts school closures in parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh

Authorities in several districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have imposed restrictions on school operations as persistent heatwave conditions continue to affect large parts of north India.

In Patna, District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S M has directed all government and private schools, including pre-schools, to suspend academic activities for students up to Class 5 until June 20.

The order cited concerns over children's health and safety due to the prevailing high temperatures.

While classes for younger students will remain suspended, schools have been allowed to conduct lessons for Classes 6 to 8, subject to precautionary measures and an early closure schedule. Academic activities for these classes must conclude by 10:30 a.m.

The revised arrangements came into effect on June 15 and will remain in force through June 20.

Similar steps have been taken in neighboring Uttar Pradesh. In Noida, schools from nursery to Class 8 have been ordered to remain closed until further notice because of severe heatwave conditions. In Ghaziabad, all schools up to Class 8 will remain shut until June 25.

The directives apply to institutions affiliated with various education boards, including CBSE, ICSE, UPMSP, and other recognized boards operating in the affected districts.

The decisions come as state governments and local administrations continue to reassess academic schedules in response to rising temperatures. According to official notifications, summer vacations in Bihar are scheduled from June 1 to June 20.

Meanwhile, schools in Haryana are observing summer holidays until June 30. In Delhi, the summer break is being observed from May 11 to July 1, while schools in Rajasthan remain closed from May 17 to June 20.

Education authorities have cited student welfare as the primary reason for the restrictions, with several regions experiencing prolonged periods of extreme heat.