Chennai, May 26: The Tamil Nadu government has postponed the opening of schools until June 4 due to rising concerns over extreme heat. This decision follows appeals from parents, teachers, and political parties to reconsider the previously scheduled dates.
Initially, schools were set to reopen on June 1 for students in grades 4 to 12, while those in grades 1 to 3 were expected to start on June 4. Authorities had arranged to distribute textbooks to students on the first day of school.
However, with temperatures soaring in various parts of Tamil Nadu, several political leaders urged the government to rethink the school opening dates, citing the health and well-being of students. This issue sparked widespread discussion, with calls for the government to prioritize student safety before resuming academic activities.
In response to journalists’ inquiries, School Education Minister Raj Mohan stated that the government sought information from meteorological officials regarding the impact of the heat. Decisions would be made based on expert assessments. Following this, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay consulted with Raj Mohan and senior officials from the education department to review the situation.
After these discussions, the department announced that all schools in Tamil Nadu would open uniformly on June 4. A statement from the School Education Department indicated that requests had been received from parents, teachers, and political organizations to establish a common date for all classes. The department noted that staggered opening times for families with children in different grades could pose practical challenges.
The government referenced weather forecasts indicating that pre-monsoon activities, including intermittent rain and humidity, would continue in many parts of the state during the first week of June.
In addition to weather concerns, officials also reviewed school preparations. This included sanitation arrangements, availability of drinking water, transportation readiness, and overall campus preparedness.
The government has instructed chief education officers and district education officers to ensure that all necessary arrangements are completed before schools reopen, with special attention to student safety, welfare, and overall well-being.
Leave a Comment