Patna: District magistrate Kumar Ravi on Sunday ordered private and government schools to change their timings owing to scorching heat. The order implies to academic activities till Class VIII.

"Due to scorching heat in the district, the life and health of children are at risk. Therefore I have issued orders to prohibit academic activity up to Class VIII before 6.45am in the morning and after 11.45am, which requires the presence of children in various primary and middle schools of the district. All private and government school authorities are hereby directed to regulate classes up to eighth in schools accordingly," Ravi said. He added that the order will remain in effect from May 7, 2018, till further orders.

Parents, naturally, expressed happiness over the decision. West Lohanipur resident Saurabh Shukla, whose son Adamya studies in Class II at Don Bosco Academy, said: "It is a big relief because for the past few days, there has been scorching heat and it was necessary to change the school timing."