The meeting was held close on the heels of a heatwave warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Source: Facebook
All educational institutions across West Bengal have been advised to declare summer vacation from May 2 because of the prevailing heatwave condition in the state.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee asked senior officials to communicate to schools that they close for summer break from May 2.
“I would recommend that you declare summer vacations in all schools from May 2. Also, ask private schools to declare an early summer vacation. Children are suffering a lot…declare summer vacations for schools, colleges and universities,” Banerjee said.
The chief minister was speaking at a meeting chaired by her at Nabanna April 27. She said schoolchildren were falling ill because of the heat and keeping schools open may have a detrimental effect on their health.
“I have heard that children have their lunch in the open under the scorching sun. Many children bleed from their nose while travelling. They are clearly not being able to cope with this heatwave and loo,” Banerjee said.
The date for reopening of schools can be decided later depending on the weather conditions, the chief minister told state officials.
Banerjee said this would also prevent the spread of COVID-19 if cases rise. The state government will continue door-to-door vaccination during the vacation, she added.
The meeting was held close on the heels of a heatwave warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for several West Bengal districts. The IMD has also advised residents to stay indoors for the next couple of days and avoid leaving home in the afternoon.