Morning Assemblies Must Be Brief, Outdoor Activities Before 10:30 AM: DSEK Issues SOPs Amid Heatwave Conditions
Srinagar, May 23 Amid intensifying heatwave conditions and frequent afternoon storms across the Kashmir Division, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued a circular mandating strict adherence to a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) framework by all schools government and recognised private with immediate effect.
In a Circular issued by DSEK a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS reads, “In light of the prevailing heatwave conditions and the increasing frequency of afternoon stormy winds across Kashmir Division, it has become imperative to implement effective safety protocols to safeguard the health and well-being of students and staff.
The well-being of our students is paramount, and proactive measures are essential to mitigate the risks associated with extreme weather conditions,” it reads.
Morning assembly should be kept brief and conducted in a shaded area or indoors as far as possible. Emphasis should be on essential announcements rather than prolonged drills or speeches. All outdoor games, sports activities, and physical education classes shall be conducted before 10:30 AM. This includes any form of recess or break period where students might be inclined to play outdoors, it reads.
If outdoor activities are absolutely necessary, they must be conducted before 10:30 AM and with the following precautions. Frequent and mandatory hydration breaks must be provided every 15–20 minutes. Schools must ensure the availability of potable drinking water at multiple accessible points, it reads.
Activities should be conducted in shaded areas as far as possible. Strict supervision by Physical Education Teachers and other staff is essential to monitor students for signs of heat stress (dizziness, nausea, excessive sweating, headache, fatigue), it reads. The intensity and duration of physical activity must be significantly reduced. Focus should be on less strenuous activities, circular reads.
Schools must devise alternative indoor activities for physical education and games, such as, Indoor board games, Light stretching exercises in well-ventilated classrooms or halls, Creative arts and crafts, Educational games and quizzes., it reads.
Schools must ensure a continuous and adequate supply of clean, potable drinking water at all times. Water coolers must be functional and regularly cleaned. Students should be encouraged to carry their own water bottles and refill them frequently. Teachers should periodically remind students to drink water. Hydration breaks of 10 minutes must be mandatorily provided after every class/period, it reads.
Classrooms must be adequately ventilated. All fans should be in working order. School buses/vans must install multiple small fans for enhanced cooling and ventilation. School buses/vans must be parked in shaded areas and parking sheds, wherever possible. Curtains or blinds should be used to block direct sunlight. Wherever possible, air coolers may be considered for common areas or sick rooms, circular reads.
School’s first aid kit must be well-stocked with necessary medicines for heat-related illnesses (e.g., ORS packets). A designated staff member (preferably with basic first aid training) should be available to attend to any student exhibiting signs of heat stress. Schools must have a plan for emergency evacuation to the nearest medical facility if a student’s condition deteriorates. Contact numbers of parents/guardians and local medical services must be readily available.
Teachers should sensitize students about the dangers of heatstroke and dehydration. Information on preventive measures should be displayed on school notice boards/through posters. Parents should be informed about the revised timings and safety measures through school circulars/messages, it reads.
Before dispersal, schools must ensure that all outdoor structures, hoardings, temporary sheds, and lightweight objects are properly secured or removed to prevent them from becoming projectiles in strong winds. All windows and doors in classrooms and school buildings must be securely latched before students and staff leave the premises, it reads.
The Directorate has underlined the urgency and seriousness of the matter, stating that the SOPs must be implemented with immediate effect and without exception to ensure the safety of school communities across Kashmir, reads the order.
Earlier, Directorate of School Education Kashmir changed school timing amid prevailing heatwave conditions across Kashmir valley, in which timing for schools falling within Srinagar Municipality limits has been fixed from 8:30am to 2:30pm.
