Teachers Demand Morning School Timings as Heat and Water Shortage Continue Across Maharashtra

With monsoon rains yet to arrive in many parts of the state, teachers have urged the government to shift schools to morning sessions to protect students from heat, humidity and water scarcity.

By Vidhi Lalla

PUNE: As Maharashtra continues to experience delayed monsoon conditions, concerns are growing over the health and safety of school children returning to classrooms amid persistent heat and water shortages. The Active Teachers Forum Maharashtra has urged the state government to conduct schools in the morning shift for at least the next 15 days, citing weather conditions similar to peak summer months.

The demand comes at a time when several districts across western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Khandesh are still waiting for widespread rainfall. While schools have reopened in most parts of the state, temperatures remain high and humidity levels continue to make daytime conditions uncomfortable for students.

The teachers’ forum has submitted a representation to School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, requesting temporary changes in school timings until weather conditions improve. The forum argued that if extreme heat conditions were considered while postponing school reopening in Vidarbha, similar concerns should also be examined in other regions facing adverse weather.

According to the forum, many schools continue to struggle with infrastructure challenges. A large number of government and semi-government schools still operate from buildings with tin-sheet roofs that become extremely hot during the afternoon. In several areas, irregular power supply and load shedding reduce the effectiveness of fans and cooling arrangements inside classrooms.

Water scarcity has emerged as another major concern. Schools located in rural, hilly and drought-prone areas are reportedly facing shortages of drinking water as well as water required for sanitation facilities. Educationists say the situation can become particularly difficult for younger children and adolescent girls if adequate water is not available throughout the school day.

The forum has pointed out that schools routinely switch to morning sessions during March and April when temperatures rise sharply. Given that June weather conditions currently resemble those summer months in many districts, similar measures should be considered until the monsoon becomes active.

The delayed arrival of the southwest monsoon has also contributed to higher-than-normal temperatures across several parts of Maharashtra. Weather experts have noted that monsoon currents remain weak, preventing widespread rainfall from developing over large parts of the state.

Education stakeholders believe that student health should remain the primary consideration during such periods. They have suggested that any loss of instructional hours can be compensated later through academic planning, additional working days or adjustments in the school calendar if required.

What Schools Can Do

Education experts recommend that schools take preventive measures while the heat persists. These include ensuring continuous access to safe drinking water, allowing regular hydration breaks, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon, and monitoring students for signs of dehydration, dizziness or heat exhaustion.

Schools can also encourage students to wear comfortable uniforms, keep classrooms well-ventilated and reduce exposure to direct sunlight during recess periods.

Advice for Parents

Parents are advised to ensure that children leave home well hydrated and carry sufficient drinking water to school. Children should be encouraged to consume seasonal fruits, avoid excessive junk food and maintain adequate fluid intake throughout the day.

Health experts also recommend lightweight cotton clothing, proper sleep and balanced nutrition to help children cope with rising temperatures. Parents should immediately seek medical attention if a child experiences symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness or unusual weakness.

Until the monsoon gains strength across Maharashtra, educators believe a flexible approach to school operations may be necessary. With weather conditions continuing to challenge students and schools alike, the state government’s decision on school timings is likely to be closely watched by parents, teachers and education administrators in the coming days.