Srinagar, June 22: In light of the current heat wave in Kashmir, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has published detailed rules for schools to follow.
According to the DSEK, children who attend school throughout the summer face health hazards due to the high temperatures.
It is stated in the paper that “the DSEK aims to mitigate the adverse effects of the heat wave through these guidelines.”
The circular stressed that the offered recommendations are advisory in nature, giving schools the flexibility to adjust them to fit their particular settings.
To get the most out of the DSEK recommendations, “both government and private educational institutions are urged to disseminate these guidelines among parents, students, and teachers.”
The most important suggestions from the rules are as follows:
Adjustments to Routines Students should not be exposed to direct sunlight during the morning assembly, which should be held in a shaded space or classrooms. Early morning is the best time of day for outdoor sports and activities. Also, it’s important to keep children cool as much as possible throughout the assembly and dispersion processes.
When it comes to student transport, it’s crucial that schools don’t overload school buses and only transport as many kids as can fit inside. School buses and vans should always be parked under trees and have plenty of water and first aid supplies on board. When at all feasible, parents should also retrieve their children themselves.
To prevent students from becoming dehydrated, schools are urged to provide numerous areas with readily accessible drinking water, ideally in water coolers or clay pots. The necessity of being hydrated should be stressed to students, and they should be encouraged to take water breaks often. Because of the rising cost of water, it is also emphasised that restrooms be kept clean and sanitary at all times.
For the PM POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) programme to be successful, the food and meals provided to pupils must be supplied promptly and in good condition. It is recommended that students packing their own lunches (tiffins) bring foods that are neither heavy or perishable. It is also suggested that kids have the quality of their lunches inspected before eating it.
A list of what kids should and should not do during the heat wave should be prominently displayed in classrooms. Dose up on water even if you don’t feel thirsty, use an oral rehydration solution (ORS) or make your own drinks like lassi and lemon water to stay hydrated, protect your head from the sun by wearing a hat, umbrella, or scarf, and spend as much time as possible inside. On the other hand, you shouldn’t go outdoors just after eating or while you’re still hungry, you shouldn’t walk about outside without shoes on, and you shouldn’t eat junk food, spicy food, or stale food.
To preserve students’ health and safety during the heat wave, the DSEK stresses that all schools must rigorously adhere to these regulations.
