With weather forecasts predicting a searing summer, some schools may probably have to go back to the drawing board and redo their plans for the coming months.
Most CBSE schools in the city function for a month after the exams, and then close for summer vacation from May 1. And, students of class X and XII from other Boards, who will be writing their public examinations in 2017, too have classes scheduled for the next few weeks.
“The CBSE schools are expected to close for the summer holidays by April 29 and most State Board schools close by April 22. Owing to the weather conditions, if there is any government directive in the following days about schools having to remain shut, the schools will have to rearrange their schedule accordingly,” said Ajit Prasad Jain, Senior Principal of Bhavan’s Rajaji Vidyashram.
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While a few schools, including Bhavan’s, are also considering having a half-day schedule for the following week, adjustments are being made to the timetable to ensure that the students are not exposed to the harsh weather conditions.
“We have cancelled PT classes for senior students that are scheduled in the afternoon and are trying to accommodate them in the mornings, if necessary. Primary students are being specially cautioned against going outdoors during the working day,” the faculty of a CBSE school in the city said.
Parents however raised concerns about the worrying weather and said they were hoping the schools would close earlier.
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“The State education department should take the harsh conditions into consideration and ensure that all schools shut early,” said Kesavan, a parent.
In 2008, the reopening of Corporation schools in Chennai had been postponed from June 2 to 9 by the government and the civic body citing that students would not be able to bear the heat. A similar decision was taken in a few parts of the State in 2013 as well owing to the sweltering heat where a few centres decided to postpone reopening of their schools by over a week.