With Odisha likely to see a heat wave in the days to come, the state government has directed schools, both public and private, to conduct morning classes from April 2.
In an official circular issued on Saturday, authorities have ordered schools to hold classes from 6.30 am to 10.30 am from April 2, with mid-day meals to be served at 10.00 am.
"In no case, the school will remain open beyond 11:00 AM," the notice mentioned.
Schools have been also been directed to complete assessment and examinations by March 30, during which it is mandatory to provide drinking water and first aid.
"Headmasters should be instructed to make provision of drinking water in the schools where the tube wells are not available. They should advice the students to come to school with umbrellas and water bottles during the summer season," authorities said.
In the wake of the probable heat wave, the state government said physical training should be made optional for students in summer.
Summer vacation will commence on May 6, it added.
With Shadow Cabinet, Naveen Patnaik Makes His Intentions Clear National Medical Commission Approves 50 MBBS Seats For New Medical College In Odisha Odisha Raj Bhavan Staffer Who Claimed Assault By Governor's Son Transferred Bangladesh Imposes Curfew, Deploys Military As 105 Die In Protests "Jindal Group Executive Showed Porn, Groped Me On Flight": Woman To NDTV Over 300 Indian Students Return Home As 105 Bangladeshis Killed In Protests Joe Biden Is The Best Person To Take On Trump, Says His Campaign Wife Among Two Jailed For Life For Man's Murder In Gurugram: Cops 1,100 Flights Cancelled In US As Microsoft Outage Disrupts Operations Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.