MP: School reopening delayed to 20th June, due to heatwaves

The increase in the heat waves in Madhya Pradesh has pushed the School Education Department in the state to extend the summer holidays in schools by one day. Keeping in mind the health of the children, the reopening date of the schools has been extended by a day from June 19th to June 20th. 

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), it is expected to rain in Madhya Pradesh in the next three to four days. However, until then the increase in the heat situation will remain the same. The temperatures in cities like Bhopal have touched 40° C while in cities like Satna, Jabalpur and Chhatarpur have gone above 42° C. Back in May 2022, Ratlam recorded the second-highest temperature in the country at around 45.5° C. 

Heatwaves’ upward trend

In a report titled “Climate Change In Madhya Pradesh, Indicators, Impacts, and Adaptation”, a climate change assessment was performed for the state of Madhya Pradesh. The results indicate that a majority of the state of MP experienced a significant decline in the monsoon season precipitation during the period of 1951-2013. Further, heat waves have become more frequent in recent years in Madhya Pradesh. 

A heatwave report of 2022 mentioned that the average days of Heat waves in Madhya Pradesh, Morena increased from 4.41 days (1991-2019) to 4.56 days (2011-2019) and in Gwalior, the increase was from 4.31 days (1991-2019) to 4.44 days (2011-2019). 

Infrastructure

Many schools in India are not equipped with adequate infrastructure and resources to tackle the heat during summer. Proper ventilation basics like fans and air conditioning are also a necessity restricted mostly to private schools in India. According to the Union District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) around 15% of schools lack basic functional electricity connections in classrooms. 

For example, according to the National Education Policy of 2020, the classroom strength should not exceed 30 as congested classrooms could prove to be an unfavourable environment for learning during summers. 

Effects of Heat Wave on Children

Since children are not able to regulate their body temperature as compared to adults, heat waves could pose a high threat to them. It could cause them various health problems such as chronic respiratory conditions, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, it could also impact a child’s environment, safety, access to nutrition and water as well as their education and future livelihood. 

The research by UNICEF, suggests that the heat wave situation currently impacts around 23% of children globally and this number is going to rise by 2050 drastically. India is one of the 33 countries to fall under the highest category for child exposure to extremely high temperatures. 

Unless we take action, the situation could get worse and the heat waves could get harsher with every year. 

Keep reading

• Heatwaves in India put 80% of the population at risk: Study
• Heatwave in India: How to protect yourself from heat illness?
• Rising heatwaves concerns in Odisha: cause, impact, and the way forward

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