Schools in WGH to be Closed Till April 21 Due to Heat Wave

Guwahati: The West Garo Hills district administration in Meghalaya has declared the closure of all educational institutions in the district from April 19 (Wednesday) to 21 (Friday) as a result of an intense heat wave.

An order from the deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills district read, “In view of the massive surge in heat wave across the West Garo Hills district, and to ensure the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and staff, the undersigned hereby declare that all primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary school activities shall remain closed during the day (8:00 am to 3:00 pm) in the district from 19-04-2023 to 21-04-2023. Evening/night schools will remain functional as it is.”

The circular warned that the district’s current heat wave conditions are extremely worrying and that heat-related illnesses including heat stroke and dehydration cannot be overlooked under such circumstances. The DC urged everyone involved in the matter to abide by the instructions given.

“Therefore, as a precautionary measure, all concerned authorities, including the district school education officer, are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with this order. Further, the mop-up exercise for National Deworming Day is to be done by all institutions on 24-04-23 i.e Monday,” the order further read.

The Tripura government had already halted all government-run and grant-in-aid schools from April 18 to 23 due to the high heat wave conditions. This was announced by state Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday afternoon.

The present temperature in the state of Tripura is 36 degrees Celsius, making it tough for schoolchildren to handle the heat wave. The Tripura government made the decision because of the potential negative effects on health that the heat wave could have. Meanwhile, Private educational institutions were asked to keep their doors closed at that time.