Children leave school premises with parents on a rainy day in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 10: Private schools here are yet to decide when they would close down keeping in view the impending cyclonic storm expected to hit the state on Sunday.

The state government, however, has directed the government schools to shut down early on Saturday and remain closed till the situation got stable. The school and mass education department has left it to the district administration to take the decision depending on the gravity of the situation.

However, in the absence of any such government directives for the private schools, many anxious parents have been urging the institutes to close the schools at the earliest.

“We had scheduled many competitions during this period. The students are willing to take part, but the parents seem to be worried. So far, we have no change in our plans. If the situation demands, the authorities may announce closure of the school,” said Debendra Pati, a senior teacher of the DAV Public School, Chandrasekharpur.

“We have been receiving calls from the parents. As the situation appears to be under control at the moment, we have not taken any decision about the closure,” said Sarat Sai, spokesperson at the Sai International School.

However, the attendance in schools became thinner in the last two days, said Pranati Sahoo, a teacher at the Unit-I Boys’ High School.

“From the reports, we are watching on television, it appears that the cyclone is going to hit us anytime and the impact will be dangerous. What is the point in risking the lives of small kids?” asked Supriya Bal, a parent.

“It will be dangerous if kids come in contact with any broken electric wire or so. Roadside trees are also in a bad shape. My son commutes by cycle. What is the guarantee that our kids will be safe?” asked Sudhakar Rao, another parent.

The department has asked the district collectors of coastal districts to close down schools if heavy rain persists.

Secretary of the department Usha Padhee has asked the districts collectors to use schools as places of shelter if required.

She has also asked the collectors to keep the midday meal food stocks in these schools for the evacuated people. Similarly, the ST and SC department, which has several schools functioning under it, today asked senior staff members of all the schools to stay put in their respective headquarters. Principals and field officials have also been instructed to remain alert and not to leave their respective headquarters without prior permission for the safety and security of students, boarders as well as employees of the department. Officials in leave have been recalled.

The higher education department yesterday cancelled the mid-semester examinations in Utkal University and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology due on October 13 and 14 by two days in view of the cyclone.