Heatwave unsettles school schedules in Mysuru city

Mysuru: Amid growing concerns over the cutting of trees for developmental works in the city, the heat wave has had an unexpected impact on the academic activities in the city. Several city schools that reopened classes for higher grades on May 4 for classes VIII, IX, and X have been forced to postpone regular classes following an intense heatwave.According to school heads, this decision was taken following complaints by the students that they can't concentrate on studies due to the weather conditions, and outdoor activities were not advised for students due to the warm weather.Students, parents and teachers reported that classroom conditions became extremely uncomfortable, with high temperatures affecting the ability to conduct lessons effectively. School managements have decided to defer reopening schedules by a week, anticipating relief only after pre-monsoon showers will bring a drop in temperature.Santosh Kumar, head of private schools association, for the first time, schools have taken such a decision, citing temperature as the reason. "As students started complaining that they cannot sit inside classrooms in this condition for long hours, and holding outdoor activities impossible, schools took this decision," he said."Many schools started classes for IX and X in Feb and March itself, assuming this situation," he said.According to the school heads, every year, classes started from the higher classes from the first Monday of May. "We conducted the classes for two days. Students were allowed to come in the dresses they preferred. But as the temperature was too high and students started complaining of headaches, it was difficult to concentrate on classroom activities, so we decided to postpone till May 18," said a school principal who did not want to be named.Manjunath Srivatsa, secretary of Sri Sharada Public School, R T Nagar, said school management is contemplating starting classes from May 21. "But the final decision will be based on weather conditions," he explained.Meanwhile, deputy director pre-university education Nagamma said no such problems were reported among the PU colleges.