West Bengal Shuts Down State-Aided Schools for Two Days Amid Severe Heatwave
Author: Dr.Jipson LawranceReporter: സ്വന്തം ലേഖകൻ 13-Jun-2025
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Kolkata, June 13, 2025
With the mercury continuing to soar across West Bengal, the state government has announced a temporary closure of all state-run and state-aided schools for two days — June 13 and 14 — as a precautionary measure to protect students from the ongoing heatwave conditions.
The decision was officially announced by West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Thursday, who stated that the extreme weather posed significant health risks for schoolchildren, especially after recent sharp rises in both temperature and humidity levels.
“Teaching-learning activities will remain closed in all government-aided/sponsored primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary educational institutions in the state on June 13 and 14, except in the hill areas where weather conditions remain relatively cooler,” Minister Basu said in a statement posted on social media platform X.
According to education department officials, the government has also issued an advisory requesting private schools to suspend classes during the same period, though no formal mandate has been issued for privately-managed institutions.
The order comes shortly after schools had reopened on June 2 following a month-long summer vacation. While the early days of June witnessed occasional rainfall offering brief respite, temperatures have since climbed sharply, accompanied by stifling humidity, creating oppressive conditions in classrooms. Many parents and teachers had expressed concerns about the health and safety of students attending schools under such extreme weather conditions.
“Given the rise in temperature and the humid conditions, it has become increasingly difficult for children to sit through classes, especially in schools that lack adequate cooling facilities,” a senior school education department official said.
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, in a separate communique issued by Deputy Secretary Rhitabrata Chatterjee, reiterated the closure, citing the official order from the state’s school education department. The circular made it clear that while students are not required to attend, both teaching and non-teaching staff are expected to report to work as usual during the two-day period.
Educational institutions in the hill areas of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and adjoining regions are exempted from this closure, as temperatures there remain comparatively moderate.
Meteorological forecasts continue to predict high temperatures across the state, prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely. Any further extension of the closure will be decided based on updated weather assessments.
Meanwhile, health experts have advised the public, especially children and the elderly, to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, stay hydrated, and take necessary precautions during the heatwave.