
North India, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, is currently in the grip of a severe cold wave, leading to disruptions in daily life. With dense fog reducing visibility to as low as 20-30 meters and temperatures plummeting, district administrations across both states have preemptively ordered school closures to safeguard children's health.
The impact of the cold weather has triggered a wave of school closures, with several districts announcing extended holidays.
Uttar Pradesh School Closures
Prayagraj: In a major decision, the District Magistrate has declared a 7-day holiday for all government and private schools from classes 1 to 8 from December 24 to December 30. Some institutions are scheduled to reopen only on January 1, 2024.
Mainpuri: Following a similar pattern, all schools for classes 1 to 8 are closed from December 24 to December 30 on the orders of District Magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh.
Sambhal: All schools from nursery to class 12 are closed for two days. However, schools with pre-scheduled examinations will conduct them as planned.
Rampur: All schools from classes 1 to 8 remained closed on December 24 due to extreme cold and dense fog.
Lucknow: The district administration has ordered the complete closure of nursery and pre-primary classes until December 27. For classes 1 to 8, school timings have been revised to 10 AM to 3 PM until further notice.
Varanasi: All schools up to class 5 have been closed for two days due to dense fog and biting cold.
Bihar School Closures
Patna: District Magistrate Dr. Thyagarajan S.M. has ordered all government and private schools up to class 8 to remain closed until December 26. Classes for grade 8 and above will follow revised timings from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Samastipur: All schools from classes 1 to 8 are closed until December 27. Pre-board examinations, however, will continue as scheduled.
The orders, issued by respective District Magistrates and District Basic Education Officers, apply to all educational institutions irrespective of their board affiliation—be it CBSE, ICSE, or state boards. Authorities have warned of strict action against any school found violating the closure directives.
Officials state that the primary motive behind these decisions is to protect students from the adverse health effects of the intense cold wave and low visibility conditions, which also pose commuting hazards. While students are on holiday, teachers and academic staff in many districts are expected to continue with their departmental duties.
Weather experts predict that temperatures may drop further in the coming days, with dense fog likely to persist across the Indo-Gangetic plains. Parents and students are advised to stay updated through official district administration channels for any further announcements regarding school reopenings or changes in schedules.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.