One school is installing air-conditioners in some classrooms in the senior section and in another school, this is the first year when all the classrooms are air-conditioned.
Several schools, especially newer ones, already have AC classrooms and feel it is essential because of the hot and stifling weather every year.
Many schools, however, still think ACs could do more harm than good.
Shri Shikshayatan School has been installing ACs in classrooms in the senior section for the past few days.
“With the kind of weather, we feel there is no choice but to install ACs. Our target is classes IX to XII because they are the seniormost and they have to be in school for syllabus completion,” said Sangeeta Tandon, principal, Shri Shikshayatan School.
For students in junior classes, there could be alternatives like early dispersal or online classes, she said.
At Modern High School for Girls, the primary reason for installing ACs was to combat the rising “noise levels” in classrooms because of the location of the school, on a busy thoroughfare.
“We were finding it difficult in classrooms because of the noise and air pollution. Although our primary reason for installing ACs was to cut out noise pollution, it has addressed the problem of heat,” said Damayanti Mukherjee, principal, Modern High School for Girls.
The discomfort level of students has gone down and they are far more alert and comfortable in class, said Mukherjee.
Some schools do not have AC classrooms but their auditoriums or halls do.
In the last two years, schools had to shut down early for summer after state government orders because of the scorching weather.
Some principals said ACs could not be a solution.
“If there are ACs in classrooms, even when the weather cools down students would demand it,” said Terence Ireland, principal, St James’ School.
“It would also discourage them to go out and play.”