The Directorate of Education (DOE) has instructed all schools in the Capital to strengthen heat safety measures. In a circular issued on Thursday, it has directed the schools to avoid assemblies in the afternoon shift, prevent outdoor activities, schedule water breaks among other measures.
This directive builds upon an earlier circular issued on March 27, this year, which had first highlighted preliminary precautions to protect children, recognised as one of the most vulnerable groups, from extreme heat during Delhi’s summer season.
With no immediate relief from the sweltering conditions expected, school heads have been urged to implement these guidelines:
– Prohibit all outdoor activities during heatwave
– Ensure supply of potable water at all times in a readily accessible manner
– Classroom ventilation as there must be functional fans
– Avoid afternoon assembly
– No outdoor classes
– Scehduled water breaks integrated into class routine
Schools are also required to have functional fire extinguishers in all corridors, and sensitize students on the importance of covering their heads using umbrellas, hats, caps, towels or any traditional headgear. The students, parents and staffers must not be exposed to direct sunlight. The DOE has also made it compulsory for the schools to address heat-related illness promptly and have first aid kits which include Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).
All such cases are to be reported to the nearest health facility or hospital. The circular also said that general safety and hygiene related guidelines must be consistently followed.
All Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) of districts and zones have been tasked with to ensure strict compliance with these safety measures.
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