Weather no bar, schools to reopen on June 1 in Chennai

Chennai: While government gears up to reopen schools on June 1, sweltering heat is worrying parents, who want the reopening to be postponed for a week.

Puducherry government has decided to postpone school reopening by a week due to the scorching heat. The education department has asked officials to make all arrangements to commence schools on June 1.

Although, the dog days, which began on May 4, came to an end on Saturday, weather department has forecast that temparatures will remain high for the next four or five days. Therefore, parents are hoping that the government may postpone school reopening.

“As far as the education department is concerned, it does not go back once a decision is made. The department is undemocratic and authoritarian. It has not considered any representation for the last five years. If the schools are reopened on June 1, children from LKG to sixth standard will suffer the heat. The department knows it very well,” said Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System.

However, Director of School Education S. Kannappan has issued a circular stating that schools would be reopened on June 1 and that free notebooks, uniforms and other free materials should be given on the first day itself.

He added that all arrangements for distribution of free materials for education should be completed, besides ensuring that roof, electric switches, water tanks and sewage are in proper condition. The school authorities should check for possible power leakages and all power cables passing near the school.

The CEO, DEO, inspection officials and headmasters should give suitable instructions and monitor if all precautionary measures are being taken, while directors and joint directors should inspect if all conditions are proper for school reopening.