Authorities in Gautam Buddha Nagar have revised school timings for all institutions in Noida and Greater Noida, effective immediately. The decision comes as intense heatwave conditions grip the Delhi-NCR region, posing health risks to students.
New School Hours in Noida and Greater Noida
Under the new directive issued by the District Magistrate, all council-run, government-aided, and private schools across Gautam Buddha Nagar will now operate from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. This revised schedule applies universally to schools affiliated with all major educational boards, including CBSE, ICSE, IB, and the UP Board.
The primary objective of these shortened hours is to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of students by limiting their exposure to the extreme heat that typically intensifies during afternoon hours. The district administration emphasized that the order is to be strictly complied with by all schools without exception.
Duration of Revised Timings
The updated school timings will remain in effect until further notice from the district administration. Any future changes will be directly linked to prevailing weather conditions and the intensity of the ongoing heatwave.
Heatwave Impact Across Other Indian States
Noida is not alone in adjusting school schedules due to the severe heat. Several other states across India have also implemented revised timings or declared early vacations to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures on students:
- Odisha: Schools now operate from 6:30 am to 10:30 am.
- Maharashtra: Timings adjusted to 7:00 am to 11:15 am.
- Jharkhand: Classes are held from 7:00 am to 11:30 am.
- Patna (Bihar): Classes are permitted only until 11:30 am.
- Rajasthan: Schools run from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm.
- Madhya Pradesh: Timings set from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm.
- Uttar Pradesh: Similar to MP and Rajasthan, schools operate from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm, though teachers may remain on campus longer.
Early Vacations and Closures
Beyond revised daily schedules, some states have taken more drastic measures, including advancing summer vacations or temporary closures:
- West Bengal: Summer break commenced on April 22, excluding hill districts.
- Tripura: All schools were closed from April 24 to May 1.
- Chhattisgarh: The vacation period was advanced, now running from April 20 to June 15.
- Odisha: Official holidays were scheduled to begin from April 27.
- Uttarakhand: Schools in Dehradun, Pantnagar, Mukteshwar, and New Tehri were shut for Classes 1 to 12.
- Jharkhand: District administrations have been empowered to order closures in severely heat-affected areas as needed.
These widespread measures underscore the severity of the current heatwave and the concerted effort by authorities to prioritize student safety and well-being during this challenging period.