Odisha has made a firm decision to safeguard its students from the scorching summer sun by directing the closure of all schools in the state from Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The directive, issued by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, is for government and private schools, anganwadi centres, and colleges till class 12, after the mercury rose sharply to record 46.2°C in Jharsuguda on April 21.
The Odisha government said the closure would continue till further notice in view of grave concerns regarding the health and safety of children. While regular classes are suspended, scheduled examinations will go on with strict supervision. Officials of the education department have been instructed to facilitate smooth running of exams while implementing heat safety measures in educational institutions.
The go-ahead was given in the wake of a high-level review by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), during which the ongoing heatwave conditions were thoroughly scrutinized. “Odisha is experiencing unprecedented heat that has brought normal life to a standstill. In view of this, the Chief Minister has given top priority to the health and well-being of school-going children,” the CMO announced in its release.
Statewide Enforcement with Health as Priority
The shutdown is being enforced across all districts regardless of whether they have crossed the 46°C barrier or not. In accordance with Odisha’s cautious strategy, even those districts which have seen slightly lower temperatures are brought under the shutdown to prevent health hazards.
The government is not taking any risks regarding the health of the children,” Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari told. Hostels will be open for boarding students, but clear SOPs have been issued to schools for imposing heat protection precautions. Schools have also been asked to continue supplying dry food to anganwadi children in their homes, so that nutrition is not hampered even as physical centres remain closed.
Minister Pujari also cautioned that stringent action would be initiated against institutions violating the shutdown order or not adopting the stipulated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that had already been enforced earlier this summer to reduce the effect of increasing temperatures.
Odisha Prepares for Extended Heatwave – Are Existing Measures Sufficient?
Odisha’s swift closure move demonstrates a wider issue: Is Odisha ready for a protracted summer of excessive heat, and are present responses such as closing schools adequate to cope with long-term climate effects?
Odisha’s climatic history of extreme weather conditions has compelled the state to remain on its guard. The state has built an elaborate disaster readiness system over time. However, the sudden advent of record-shattering temperatures during mid-April has revealed the difficulty of bringing safeguards into place, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, old people, and outdoor workers.
Odisha government’s swift action followed uniform appeals from student associations and educational unions, as they reported the number of complaints regarding health on the part of students increasing. Reports from state-wide described how children were undergoing heat-related health problems like dizziness, vomiting, and lassitude while attending morning sessions—even after their school timings had already been postponed to the morning time slot (6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) last month.
Parents had also complained about the insufficiency of school infrastructure in most schools, especially rural schools, that have no proper ventilation, fans, or shaded spots. “With temperatures crossing 45°C and humidity reaching its peak early in the morning, not a single classroom is secure unless it is adequately provided,” a parents’ association in Balangir district put in an open letter to the Education Department.
Increasing Temperatures and National Policy on Heat Handling
Odisha is not alone in this situation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that major areas of Eastern India, such as West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, are seeing “severe heatwave” conditions. As a result, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has requested states to implement their heat action plans and maintain preparedness in all departments.
Odisha has been in operation a Heat Action Plan since 2019, including early warning release, public place water availability, and heat-related illness awareness campaigns. This year, however, the early onset and severity of the heatwave have taken everyone by surprise.
Health authorities in Odisha have also asked people to stay indoors during the peak hours, stay hydrated, and avoid travels that are not necessary, particularly children and the elderly. Ambulances have been stationed close to examination centers to offer emergency services if needed.
Educational Consequences and Academic Adjustments
In spite of the shutdowns, the Odisha government has made it clear that all earlier announced exams will go ahead as scheduled. District education authorities have been instructed to work with local administrations to arrange for safe administration of exams, including provision of drinking water, waiting areas in shade, and medical assistance.
For board exam-bound students of Classes 10 and 12, this is a tricky situation. While classes are suspended, exams continue—causing a challenge to academic continuity as well as health safety. Teachers’ associations have requested the government to take into consideration the possibility of extending summer holidays or modifying the academic calendar to offset the lost instructional time.
The Odisha government is also looking into the possibility of online learning or television-based learning for higher-grade students if the heatwave continues well into May.
Political Reactions and Community Support
The opposition has generally backed the government’s action, recognizing that this is a matter of public safety above political differences. Some leaders have, however, criticized the delay in issuing the shutdown order, claiming that the indications of an early heatwave were already apparent as early as the first week of April.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations and volunteers across Odisha have stepped in to distribute ORS packets, bottled water, and shaded shelters at examination centres and public bus stands. Local governments are also working to ensure water tankers regularly reach heat-affected rural areas.
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