Ludhiana: Despite maximum temperature soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, 15 double shift schools are continuing classes during peak heat hours from 12pm to 5pm. A few double shift schools in the city include Govt Senior Secondary School PM Shri Cemetery Road, Govt Senior Secondary Smart School PAU, Govt Primary Smart School Kundanpuri, Govt Multipurpose Senior Secondary School, among others. “Students feel exhausted these days, so the school gives them five to 10 minutes to settle and cool down before they start studying. This helps them feel a little better,” said a govt school teacher.Although students acknowledge the difficulty of attending school during such extreme weather, they said they do not have options.“I have to travel around 3 kilometres to reach my school on a cycle. The heatwave is at its peak when I travel, so I cover my face and arms and carry a water bottle to keep myself cool while going to school. Hopefully, weather will improve in the days to come but as of now, there is no choice,” said Sumit, who studies in a double shift govt school.“The school requires facilities like filtered cold water and fans. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to concentrate in class because of the heat and travelling to school in the sun is exhausting,” said Manya, a student of a double-shift primary govt school.Parents do not have it any better. “My children study in Class IV and VII. I have to come to drop one child at school at 12:15pm and wait for the other one to come out. They feel very exhausted. I urge authorities to consider the situation and take required steps,” said Vrinda, a parent.She added that schools should be closed these days in view of the inclement weather.Amandeep Singh, deputy DEO, said, “There are 15 schools running in double shifts in the city. There are no directions from higher authorities to change school hours or any other schedule. Any such directive from higher authorities or govt, will be implemented. As of now, double shift schools are operating without any changes just like other govt schools.”
