The School Education Department of Tamil Nadu has decided to delay the reopening of schools until June 12. This decision was made on Monday due to concerns about the elevated temperature. Initially, schools were scheduled to commence this week.
According to a report from Daily Thanthi, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the Minister of School Education in Tamil Nadu, declared on Monday that schools will resume classes for students in grades 6 to 12 starting from June 12. Additionally, classes for students in grades 1 to 5 will resume from June 15.
A formal declaration regarding this matter will be released soon. Earlier today, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, conducted a discussion session at the Secretariat in Chennai with the State School Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, and government officials, addressing the topic of school reopening in the state.
Statement By Education Department
The education department initially announced that schools for grades 6 to 12 would resume on June 1, while schools for grades 1 to 5 would reopen on June 5 when the summer holidays commenced.
However, due to the prolonged hot weather conditions in the state, the reopening date for all classes was rescheduled to June 7. The minister explained that June 7 was selected based on information from the meteorological department, which predicted a decrease in heat starting from June 5.
Nevertheless, due to the recent announcement by the meteorological department indicating that the high temperatures would persist until June 11, the date for reopening has been further postponed.Â
Concerns Regarding School Facilities
Concerns regarding inadequate school facilities to cope with the heat were also expressed by parents and teachers, leading to their request for a delay in the school reopening.
Additionally, it has been announced that students in grades 1 through 5 will recommence their classes a few days later, commencing on June 14.
Initially, the plan was to reopen schools in early June. However, taking into account the increasing temperatures and the potential discomfort it may bring to students, the authorities have chosen to delay the reopening for a few days.
The extended vacation gives students the chance to remain indoors, stay hydrated, and take precautions to cope with the hot weather. Parents and guardians must ensure the safety of their children by protecting them from the harsh climate and avoiding unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight.
The decision to delay the reopening of schools was made after the minister held a meeting with the chief education officers of all districts on Thursday, May 25. According to the CEOs of various districts such as Tiruvannamalai, Tirupathur, Vellore, Ranipet, and Karur, it would be challenging for students to be in classrooms during the hot weather expected in the first week of June.
The meteorological department has also predicted a decrease in the intensity of the summer starting from June 5. Taking these factors into account, the chief minister has approved reopening schools for all classes on June 7.
The minister also mentioned that any lost time due to the delayed reopening of schools will be made up by adding extra working days, including Saturdays if necessary, to cover the academic syllabus for the year.
When asked about private schools conducting classes during the summer holidays, the minister stated that the department has requested these schools to ensure that students have an enjoyable break while also utilizing their time to learn other skills, which will enhance their existing knowledge.
In this scenario, it has been mentioned that Chief Minister Stalin, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poiyamozhi, and officials will be engaging in a discussion today concerning the commencement of schools. It is anticipated that the reopening of schools might be postponed once again.
Across several districts, including Chennai, the intensity of the heat wave persists without abating. Allowing schools to reopen under such conditions would pose a risk to the well-being of children. Consequently, various groups are expressing their views via social media, urging for a further delay in the reopening of schools.
