Tamil Nadu Schools May Extend Summer Vacations, Reopen Late Due To Heatwave

Tamil Nadu : Amid surging summer temperatures, the Tamil Nadu government is reconsidering its earlier decision to reopen schools on June 2, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said Tuesday, signalling a potential extension of the summer break.

Speaking to reporters in Trichy, where temperatures have soared beyond 40 degrees Celsius, the minister said the reopening date would be finalised only after assessing the severity of the heatwave in consultation with Chief Minister MK Stalin. We will take a decision based on the weather conditions and prioritize the safety of students, he stated, noting the sweltering conditions already gripping several districts.

The state had originally scheduled school reopening for early June following a comprehensive exam season that concluded last month. Public exams for Class 12 were held from March 3 to 22, with over 8.2 lakh students appearing. Class 11 exams followed between March 5 and 27, and Class 10 exams took place from March 28 through early April, with more than 9.1 lakh students sitting for the final exams.

For younger students, finals exams were preponed due to the intensifying heat. Classes 1 to 5 completed their exams between April 7 and 10, while assessments for Classes 6 to 9 were wrapped up by April 12. With the summer break formally beginning on March 26, students and parents are now awaiting exam results while also keeping an eye on the weather, and the revised school calendar.

Meteorological forecasts for Tamil Nadu indicate that May could be significantly hotter than average, with many regions already experiencing heatwave conditions. This has prompted educators and health officials to call for caution and reconsideration of the reopening timeline, especially in districts like Trichy, Vellore, and Madurai.

In addition to the reopening update, Mahesh also issued a stern warning to private schools regarding fee structures. “Strict action will be taken against any institution that collects fees beyond the government-fixed cap,” he said, adding that complaints of overcharging would be swiftly investigated and penalised.

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