Patna heatwave: No outdoor activities for students

PATNA: With mercury wreaking havoc in the city, schools have stopped conducting morning assemblies and outdoor activities in a bid to protect the students from intense heatwave, sunstroke and sunburn. They have also ensured availability of drinking water on the school premises besides asking the parents not to send their wards to the school if they are sick.
Authorities of some schools said many students are complaining of vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach infection, fever, cough, heat rashes and fainting due to dehydration.
Seema Singh, principal of St Karen's High School, said children are at risk if they venture out. "We have stopped outdoor activities, including sports, for the students. The morning assemblies are conducted inside the classes. However, the students are still falling sick. Teachers also complain of heat-related ailments. We have hired a nurse who attends to children if they fall sick. In case of high fever and other health ailments, we inform the parents," she said.
Singh said the students are told to consume plenty of water to stay hydrated. "On Tuesday, we sent messages to the parents, asking them to send their kids to school with umbrella and head cap," she added.
Other schools are also encouraging students to eat healthy food and drink plenty of water to beat the heat.
Fr Christu Savarirajan SJ, principal of St Michael's High School, said they have stopped outdoor activities, including assemblies and physical training classes, for the students. "Students are allowed to play in the indoor sports arena. The school timing has already been changed and academic activities do not take place after 11.30am," he said.
Mary Alphonsa, principal of Don Bosco Academy, the school allows kids to play outside only till 8am. "They remain inside the classrooms from 8am onwards. In view of excessive heat, the teachers encourage students to take liquid supplements and drink water. We allow students to keep water bottles on their desks," she said.
Principal of DAV Public School-BSEB, Navin Chandra, said, "We encourage parents to send their kids to school after giving them proper breakfast and healthy meal for lunch. Water coolers have been installed on the school premises and we also ask students to come with their own water bottles."