Demand raised for change in Jamshedpur school timings as temperature soars

Jamshedpur: Rising heat and humidity across the Kolhan division have prompted politicians, student welfare groups, and parents to demand revised school timings for both private and govt schools.Jamshedpur (East) MLA Purnima Sahu on Friday wrote to East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Karn Satyarthi, urging a change in school assembly and dispersal timings. She said that temperatures are rapidly approaching 45 degrees Celsius and that heatwave conditions during school closing hours are creating difficulties for children. Sahu suggested that schools conduct classes in the early morning so students can return home by the afternoon.The Jamshedpur Abhibhavak Sangh also submitted a separate memorandum to chief minister Hemant Soren, seeking his intervention.In its representation, submitted through the DC’s office, the parents’ association stated that for the past week, children have been exposed to harsh heatwave conditions while returning home from school.“Most English-medium schools dismiss students around 1:30 pm, which is the hottest time of the day.

The heatwave-like conditions are causing distress among schoolchildren,” said association convenor Umesh Kumar.He added that prolonged exposure to extreme heat and humidity could make children ill, and urged the govt to revise school hours to 6:30 am–11:30 am. Siksha Satyagraha, a city-based group advocating for students, pointed out that temperatures in the city are hovering around 40 degrees Celsius. It called for immediate govt intervention to protect children from rising heat and humidity.“If not early summer vacations, at least revise school timings so children can return home by midday,” said the outfit’s president, Ankit Anand.Jagdeep Singh, a concerned parent whose daughter studies at Sacred Heart Convent School, said that the state meteorological centre has issued an orange alert for heatwave in the coming week.“Heatwave conditions typically peak between 11 am and 3 pm. Schools should take precautions by adjusting timings to prevent students from being exposed to extreme heat,” he said.