Ranchi schools adjust timing to protect students; concerns rise over health risks due to soaring temperatures

Ranchi: With temperatures rising across the state, the school education and literacy department on Monday ordered an immediate overhaul of school timings, advancing classes to early morning to protect children from the heat.

Under the new schedule, classes from KG to VIII will be held from 7 am to 11:30 am, while classes 9 to 12 will run till 12 noon. The revised timings will come into effect from Tuesday and will apply to govt, aided, minority and private schools across the state. Officials said the decision was taken in view of the “increasing impact of heat” being reported in several districts.

“Teachers and non-teaching staff in govt schools will remain on duty till 1 pm, using the remaining time for non-academic work, including administrative tasks and record maintenance,” an official statement issued by the department read.

In Ranchi, the district administration too notified the revised timing following govt order. Deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri said, “All schools in the district must comply with the new timings, citing the need to safeguard students amid rising temperatures. The order will remain in force until further notice.”

The move follows concerns raised over the impact of high temperature on children. Health and disaster management minister Irfan Ansari too had earlier stressed the need to prioritise students’ health and called for adjustments in school functioning. Officials indicated that the revision of school hours is part of precautionary measures to limit heat exposure during peak daytime hours.

Ajay Roy, president of Jharkhand Parents’ Association, said that the revised timings offer some relief but flagged concerns if temperatures continue to rise. “Advancing school hours is a necessary step, but if the heat intensifies further, the govt may also have to consider temporary closure,” he said. He added that several districts are already witnessing sharp temperature rise.
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