DSEK issues guidelines for schools to combat effects of heat wave on students

Kashmir under severe heat wave

MASROOR AHMAD

BUDGAM: As Kashmir Valley is under severe heat wave from past few days and temperature is recorded above the normal, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has issued guidelines for schools to ensure the well-being and safety of students amid the prevailing heat wave across Kashmir.
The DSEK stated that the scorching temperatures during the summer season can pose health risks to school-going children.
To tackle the adverse effects of the heat wave the directorate issued guidelines for school heads.
Both government and private educational institutions are urged to disseminate these guidelines among parents, students, and teachers to maximize their benefits, the DSEK guidelines read.
The key recommendations outlined in the guidelines are Modifications in Daily Routines: The morning assembly should be conducted in a brief manner and in an area or classrooms where students are not exposed to direct sunlight. Sports and outdoor activities should be scheduled during the early hours of the day.
Transportation: Schools are advised to strictly avoid overcrowding in school buses, ensuring that students are carried according to the seating capacity of the vehicles. Drinking water and first aid kits must be readily available.
Parents are also encouraged to personally pick up their children whenever possible.
Hydration: To combat dehydration, schools are instructed to provide sufficient potable water at multiple locations, preferably through the use of water coolers or earthen pots. Students should be educated about the importance of proper hydration and advised to sip water at regular intervals.
Food and Meals: Meals served to students under the PM POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) initiative should be served hot and fresh.
Students carrying food in their lunchboxes (tiffins) are advised be checked before consumption to ensure its quality.
Dos and Don’ts Display: Prominent display areas within schools should feature a list of do’s and don’ts for students to follow during the heat wave. The do’s include drinking sufficient water even if not thirsty, using oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or homemade drinks like lassi and lemon water to stay hydrated, covering one’s head with a hat, umbrella, or scarf, staying indoors as much as possible, and seeking immediate medical attention in case of illness or faintness.
The DSEK emphasizes that these instructions must be strictly adhered to by all educational institutions to ensure the safety and well-being of students during the heat wave.