Heat wave: KV gets notice for continuing school in extreme hot weather

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha government on Thursday issued show cause notice to Kendriya Vidyalaya-1 for continuing classes despite severe heat wave conditions. State government had extended summer vacations for all schools initially up to June 21 and subsequently till June 25 due to extreme hot weather. The schools were initially scheduled to reopen on June 18.

“It has come to the notice of the government that in utter violation of the above direction of the state government, your school continues to hold classes. As a result young children have been compelled to travel in severe hot and humid conditions and attend classes in such situation. This might have serious implications on the life and health conditions of the students and others,” wrote special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi to the school.

The SRC sought explanation from the school and said “You are called upon to explain as to why action shall not be initiated against you for wilful violation of the above order of the government issued to protect the lives of people in a threatening disaster situation.”

The school has to submit the explanation to the revenue and disaster management department in the next three days.

School sources said the classes for both the shifts used to be held between 6.30 am to 10.30 am before it becomes very hot. “Soon after we get the show cause notice we have declared holidays till June 25,” said an officer in the school.

While other Kendriya Vidyalayas in the city are confused whether they will keep the school open or close from Friday.

“If the government is announcing something in media, should not they write a letter to the schools. We cannot close down the school without getting any order from chairman or higher authorities as the temperature increased suddenly. Moreover we have taken all precautions for students like drinking water and leaving them by 10.3o am. Now we are really confused what to do,” said principal pf another Kendriya Vidyalaya in the city requesting anonymity.

After the show-cause notice issued to the school there is a mixed response among the parents of the school.