Berhampur: Schools in tribal-dominated Gajapati and Kandhamal districts reopened on Thursday for the 2026-27 academic year after around 50 days of summer vacation.Authorities in some other districts, including Ganjam, however, have extended the summer break till June 20 due to the prevailing heatwave. Since June 21 is a Sunday, schools in these districts will reopen on Monday, sources said.Attendance remained thin on the first day, including in residential schools run by the tribal development department in Kandhamal. “Students are likely to come from next week, when classes pick up,” said Kandhamal district welfare officer (DWO) Rabi Narayan Mishra.Ahead of reopening, school premises, classrooms and hostel rooms were cleaned. Drinking water facilities have been ensured and hostel water tankers cleaned. “We have taken all safety and cleanliness measures in schools for the new academic year,” said Kandhamal district education officer (DEO) Rajesh Swain.The DWO said hostels were readied, with premises cleaned and damaged beds replaced during the vacation. However, he said only a few students and hostel inmates reported on the first day.While exact attendance figures were not available, very few students turned up in Gajapati too, an education official said.In Ganjam, the district administration extended the vacation by two days due to heat and humidity. District collector Keerthi Vassan V directed teaching and non-teaching staff to remain present during school hours and asked schools to conduct online classes, if feasible, to ensure continuity of learning.
