In response to the prevailing hot weather conditions across the state, the Odisha government has directed all district collectors to implement morning classes in schools starting Friday.

The decision was communicated through a letter issued by School and Mass Education Secretary Shalini Pandit on Thursday. As per the revised schedule, classes for students from Grade 1 to 12 will now run from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM to ensure students’ safety from extreme heat.

Earlier, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari had announced that morning classes would commence from April 2. However, considering the rising temperatures, the government has decided to reschedule the timings with immediate effect.

The new schedule applies to all government, private, and aided schools across the state. Authorities have also been advised to take necessary precautions to safeguard students from heat-related ailments.

The directive comes as Odisha experiences a significant rise in daytime temperatures, with several districts recording unusually high mercury levels.