Despite the changed timings, the students of government schools in the city are unlikely to get relief from the heat because of lack of basic facilities like fans and drinking water. Even some schools don’t have electricity connection. Of the 83,593 primary schools in Madhya Pradesh, 90.3 per cent do not have electricity connection. This means that the students will have to do without even fans in the scorching heat.
According to the “Elementary Education in India – State Report Cards 2015-16”, of Union HRD ministry, the situation was better in middle schools. Of the 16,679 middle schools in the state, only 16.3 per cent were sans power supply. Overall, of the 1.42 lakh schools in the state, almost 75 per cent did not have a power connection.
Rajesh Verma who works in a private firm said, “The changed timings will not give relief to the children who study in government schools. They have to travel by public transports owing to lack of basic infrastructures in those schools. Nevertheless, the parents in the city are especially whose children are in primary classes, are still worried about sending their children to schools under the scorching heat. They said that the changed timing may not protect small children from heat.
Chanchal Singh Rajput, who runs boutique shop told Free Press, “ I think, it is not enough because the classes end at 12.30 pm , the children may reach their home before 1.30 -2pm.I think, school should be closed.” Similarly, Sonia Soni, a homemaker said, “This is not a proper solution. I think games timings can be postponed for some days. In this way, children will keep away from sun and heat wave directly.”
No classes after 12.30 pm
District education officer has issued an order saying that no classes will be held in any schools in the city after 12.30pm. The order issued on Saturday fixes timings of schools from 7.30 am to 12.30pm. The order said that the decision which will apply to all government, private and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) schools have been issued in lieu of searing sun and possibilities of heat wave.