Schools and colleges: heat-safe timetable ideas from official guidance

A hot, dry season puts children at risk, and schools can plan ahead.

What the guidelines say. The National Disaster Management Authority's guidelines for heat action plans list rescheduling school timings during summer and avoiding outdoor games and sports activities among the steps local authorities should take in a heatwave. They also call for drinking water points and access to cool places. In Odisha's example, described in the guidelines, heat alerts trigger early-morning shifts for schools and offices.

Ideas for a school plan. Move outdoor assembly, games and sports to the cooler early morning, or indoors, on heat-alert days. Make sure every child can reach drinking water easily, and use shaded corridors and rooms with fans for breaks. Follow IMD heat warnings and your state education department's orders on timings.

Danger signs in children (Health Ministry). Refusal to feed, excessive irritability, decreased urine output, dry mouth with no tears or sunken eyes, lethargy or reduced alertness, seizures, and bleeding from any site. These need immediate medical attention. Call 108 or 102 in an emergency.

Vehicles. The Health Ministry warns never to leave children or pets in parked vehicles.

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