LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh government has extended summer vacations in schools under the Basic Education Council and recognised institutions till June 24, citing prevailing heatwave conditions, officials said. According to an order issued by Basic and Secondary Education Additional Chief Secretary Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, summer vacations will now be observed from May 20 to June 24 every year, with regular classes beginning on June 25. Schools that had reopened on Tuesday after the break will now remain closed again and reopen on June 25, an official statement said. The move has been taken under the direction of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with the government prioritising children’s safety, health and quality education amid rising temperatures across the state. Officials said the decision aims to bring uniformity in the academic calendar across Uttar Pradesh and remove the need for repeated local-level extensions of holidays during extreme heat. As per the revised schedule, teachers, shiksha mitras, instructors and non-teaching staff will report to schools from June 22 to June 24 to complete preparations for the new academic session. In addition, collective yoga sessions involving teachers and students will be organised in schools on June 21 to mark the observance of the International Day of Yoga, the order said. Preparatory work will include lesson planning, arrangements for the mid-day meal programme, distribution of textbooks, meetings of school management committees, preparations for Bal Vatika classes, cleanliness drives in school premises, kitchens and toilets, and ensuring availability of sports equipment. The order also stresses compliance with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, under which at least 220 working days and regular teaching activities must be ensured in every academic session. District magistrates (DMs) have been advised to keep these statutory requirements in mind before announcing any local holidays, officials said. The government has further directed schools to ensure uninterrupted electricity, drinking water and other basic facilities.
