With improving weather conditions, the Assam government has in a quick response lifted the order of closing the schools in Kamrup (Metro) district. All the government provincialized, and private schools here will reopen from September 25, 2024. The order has been withdrawn as an emergency has been declared for taking some relief measures due to the severe heatwave conditions that are persistent over this region. Schools will remain open from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM only to avoid students spending too much time in the scorching sun during the middle of the day.

The latest order has been issued on Monday by the District Elementary Education Officer and reversed an earlier order issued on 23 September that had sought the closure of schools from 24 September to 27 September because of a heatwave. Deciding to open the schools again marks a conscious improvement in weather conditions all over the district.

All government, provincialized, and private schools in Kamrup Metro are to continue with normal classes from tomorrow, i.e., from 25 September 2024,” read the new DEEO order. While schools are reopening, the modified schedule will remain in effect to ensure the health and safety of students amid lingering warm weather.

Schools Closed Initially Due to Heatwave

The most prominent cause of the closure of schools was that temperatures were rising in the district, and reports of students collapsing and being afflicted with dehydration were received. Clearly, the DEEO said that the safety of the students was the priority, and it led to the temporary closing of all educational institutions throughout the district.

**Announcement by the Chief Minister

Reaffirming the reopening of schools, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma opines on X (formerly Twitter) by annulling the order stating that “With immediate effect, the order dated 23-09-2024 stands rescinded, and government, provincialized, and private schools in Kamrup (Metro) are allowed to function normally from the 25th of September 2024 onward after the improvement in weather. Nevertheless, the school hours shall remain 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM only”.

New School Timings to Stay

The new schedule, as mooted, in an attempt to cushion the shock of the heat during the noon day sun is, however, going to stay even as schools have reopened. Students, parents and teachers, therefore, need to make adequate arrangement alternatives that are proving costly: hydration and avoidance of exposure to the direct rays of the sun while at school.

The initial closure was a temporary response to the wave of heat and to ensure that there was no harm caused to the students’ health and safety. That being said, the conditions have since improved, and now it is appropriate for the authorities to permit schools to operate while implementing this schedule modified to ensure both education and safety.

Classes will resume as scheduled under the new schedule, providing a safer learning environment to students and staff as temperatures gradually cool off.