Schools in West Bengal to have early summer vacation amid heatwave concerns

KOLKATA: In light of the current heatwave, the West Bengal government announced on Thursday that the summer vacation for state-run and aided schools will begin on April 22. According to a notification issued by the School Education Department on Thursday, aside from students, the teaching and non-teaching staff of the schools will be on leave during the period, subject to the direction of the election authorities concerned, in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
"Considering the prevailing heatwave situation, the competent authority has decided to prepone the summer vacation in the schools under your administrative jurisdiction with effect from April 22 except for schools in hill areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, wherein the existing academic schedule may continue until further order," the notice issued by School Education Secretary to the presidents of primary education and secondary boards said.
Earlier in view of the ensuing elections and keeping in mind many schools in northern parts of Bengal have already been turned into camps of security forces as also booths, the summer vacation had been scheduled from May 6, 2024.
Education minister Bratya Basu said private schools are also being requested to prepone the summer holiday in the interest of students.