Lucknow, June 29: In response to the severe heat and changing weather patterns, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a special “Heat Action Plan” aimed at protecting students from heat-related illnesses. This initiative includes guidelines for teachers to help safeguard students from extreme heat, fatigue, and heatstroke.
The Basic Education Department has issued “Guidelines for Teachers to Raise Awareness About Heat-Related Illnesses 2026.” These guidelines are designed to equip teachers with essential information and practical training, covering prevention strategies for heatwaves, recognizing symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, first aid, and safety measures for students.
Schools are advised to implement the Heat Action Plan to educate children, parents, and the school community. This includes displaying posters on “Dos and Don’ts” to mitigate the negative impacts of heat on children’s education, health, and school life.
The guidelines emphasize the crucial role of teachers in ensuring student safety during heatwaves. Teachers will provide information on heat protection measures during morning assemblies, classroom teaching, extracurricular activities, and daily school routines.
Each school is required to develop its own “School Heat Action Plan” and appoint a “Health Nodal Teacher” to coordinate heatwave-related activities. Special awareness sessions will be organized for teachers, staff, and students. Heatwave prevention measures and emergency contact numbers will be prominently displayed on school premises.
The government has mandated that every school must have first aid kits, ORS, digital thermometers, and arrangements for emergency medical services, particularly contacting the 108 ambulance service. All strenuous physical and outdoor activities will be suspended during “Orange” or “Red” heatwave alerts.
Schools are instructed to ensure a continuous supply of clean and safe drinking water for students. Children will be encouraged to drink water every 20 to 30 minutes and to bring their own water bottles.
The guidelines recommend wearing light-colored cotton clothing, using hats or umbrellas, and consuming seasonal fruits with high water content, such as watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber.
If a student exhibits symptoms like excessive sweating, extreme thirst, headaches, dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps, vomiting, confusion, or fainting, they should be immediately moved to a shaded area for first aid and cooled with cold packs. If necessary, contact the 108 ambulance or the nearest health center.
Additionally, special monitoring is advised for students suffering from asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or disabilities, as well as those who have recently recovered from fever or diarrhea.
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