Jharkhand government on Tuesday evening decided to change the timetable of schools as the continuous surge in temperature prompted the Met department to issue a heatwave alert across the state.

The order, issued by school education and literacy department secretary K. Ravikumar, informed that acting on the order of chief minister Hemant Soren, instructions have been sent to all the 24 district deputy commissioners and education officers to implement the changed timetable at all schools from April 19.

The directive also informed that both private and government schools will have to adhere to the changed timing.

“In view of the extreme heat and heatwave alert, instructions have been issued to conduct classes for students of Kindergarten to Class V between 7am and 11am, while students of Class VI and above will attend classes between 7am and noon,” the notification states adding that it has to be implemented both in government, non-government aided, unaided and private schools across Jharkhand.

The directive further states that under no circumstances, assembly meetings, sports activities and other activities will be conducted in the sun during this period. However, the mid-day meal will continue.

“We cannot discontinue the mid-day meals as it is the only nutrient food for government school students from financially weaker sections. However, the school can arrange to distribute the mid-day meals a bit earlier at their convenience during school hours,” said a senior Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) official.

“The school management will be informed separately on steps to be taken regarding compensation for the loss in the education of the children because of the changed timetable. This order will be applicable for April 19 to April 25. Further decisions would be taken based on Met department inputs,” said a senior JEPC official.

The Ranchi Met on Wednesday issued a heat wave alert for all districts of the state between April 19 and 20.

The health department, in its recent advisory, asked people to drink adequate water, wear light-coloured, loose and cotton clothes and cover their heads with a cloth, hat or umbrella while venturing out of their houses. It has also directed all government hospitals to keep enough stock of medicines and other vital equipment ready to tackle heat-related illnesses.