Several schools in Kolkata are still not allowing children to take part in outdoor activities to protect them from heat.
Some others are letting students join such activities only if the weather is favourable.
Schools have returned to in-person classes after a weeklong closure from April 17, ordered by the state government, because of the heat spell.
But a number of schools that have resumed in-person classes are closing early, with students being sent home by noon or a little later to protect them from weather-related torment.
“We are only allowing swimming, basketball and yoga because these activities are held in covered areas. Regular inter-house activities on the ground have been kept on hold. We are closing early so students have less exposure to heat. The purpose will be defeated if we continue with outdoor activities,” said Terence Ireland, principal, St James’ School.
In some schools, the summer timings are not allowing a longer break and children remain in their respective classrooms during the recess.
“Breaks are short and they have just enough time to eat,” said a teacher at a central Kolkata school.
Among the schools that have suspended outdoor activities are Loreto House, St Lawrence High School and St Augustine’s Day School Shyamnagar.
South City International School and Loreto Day School Elliot Road are allowing outdoor activities depending on the weather.
Doctors said the current weather conditions are favourable for moderate outdoor activities.
“Given the weather now, children can be allowed outdoors for moderate activities, but not severe,” said Apurba Ghosh, director, Institute of Child Health. “Some activities are essential, otherwise there will be problems like obesity.”
But the humidity level is high, leading to a high discomfort index.
“Since humidity is high, we are still not allowing children out in the open. Auditoriums and covered spaces are being used for physical activities,” said Rodney Borneo, principal, St Augustine’s Day School Shyamnagar.
At South City International School, pre-primary and primary children are still not allowed on the field. The school’s sports activities are being held indoors.
“Students in Class VIII or above are back on the ground. But we cannot say that we will allow that every day. It will depend on the weather. For smaller children, we do not want them to be out in the sun and then come back to air-conditioned classrooms,” said principal John Bagul.
A number of private schools had suspended outdoor activities even before the weeklong closure, which prompted some institutions to switch to online classes.
If the weather continues to be uncomfortable, some schools will keep outdoor activities suspended till the summer vacation.
The vacation at private English-medium schools usually starts in the second week of May and continues for around a month.
“There is so much variation in weather that we are observing each day and accordingly taking a call, “ said Jessica Gomes Surana, principal, Loreto Day School Elliot Road.