This will be applied to all government and public schools across the state (Representative Image)
Now, the extension of the half-day schedule will ensure that students can conclude their academic activities earlier in the day, from 7.30 am. to 11.30 am
In response to an ongoing heatwave across Andhra Pradesh, the state government has taken proactive measures. The School Education Department of Andhra Pradesh has extended the half-day school schedule for an additional week, now continuing until June 24, as ordered by Commissioner of School Education, Suresh Kumar.
Initially, schools in Andhra Pradesh were scheduled to reopen on June 12, 2023, despite pleas to postpone the reopening. However, considering the intense heat, the government allowed schools to operate in a half-day mode until June 17. Now, the extension of the half-day schedule will ensure that students can conclude their academic activities earlier in the day, from 7.30 am. to 11.30 am.
This will be applied to all government and public schools across the state. Recognising the significance of student well-being in such extreme temperatures, the School Education Department has also decided to provide ragi porridge, a nutritious offering, to students from 8.30 am. to 9 am. A mid-day meal will also be served between 11.30 am and 12 pm.
As the scorching heatwave continues to grip various parts of Andhra Pradesh, temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius have been reported. On Sunday, Nellimarla Mandal in Vizianagaram district experienced a blistering daytime temperature of 46 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal average by 4 degrees.
Gollaprolu Mandal in Kakinada district recorded a scorching temperature of 45.9 degrees Celsius, while Salur Mandal in Parvathipuram district and Ponduru Mandal in Srikakulam district registered 45.7 degrees Celsius. Further, across the state, a staggering total of 328 mandals reported heatwave conditions, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
In recent forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall is expected in Andhra Pradesh in the coming days. There are already reports of rainfall in parts of Andhra Pradesh, including Krishna, Guntur, Vijayawada, and NTR districts. As the weather patterns shift and rainfall becomes more prevalent, it is believed that the relief brought by the precipitation will alleviate the intense heat and provide much-needed respite to the residents.
