'Prepare heat action plans': UP government announces heatwave safety protocols for school students

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the 'Teachers' Guideline-2026' to help schools protect students from heat-related illnesses. The new guidelines direct teachers to spread awareness, identify heat stress symptoms, provide first aid, and implement school-level heat action plans to minimise the impact of heatwaves among students.

The Basic Education Department issued the 'Teachers' Guideline-2026 for Sensitising Students Towards Heat-related Illnesses'. The guidelines were prepared under the directions of additional chief secretary of Basic Education and Secondary Education, Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma.

According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, the objective of guidelines is to equip teachers with knowledge, skills and practical guidance for protection against heat waves, identification of exhaustion due to heat, administration of first aid, heat stroke, and protection of students.

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UP Schools: Dos and don'ts posters

Along with this, children, parents and the school admin will also be made aware through 'dos and don'ts' posters in schools, so that extreme heat does not adversely affect children's education, health and school life, the state government said.

The guideline clearly states that teachers will be the most important link in ensuring students' safety from heat waves. Through the morning assembly, classroom teaching, co-curricular activities and the school's daily routine, teachers will make students aware of measures to protect themselves from heat waves.

Students will be educated on the importance of staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, wearing light-coloured cotton clothing, consuming water-rich fruits, and recognising the early signs and symptoms of heat stroke.

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UP's school heat action plan

The state government has directed every school to prepare a School Heat Action Plan. Health nodal teachers will be designated in schools to coordinate heat wave-related activities. Orientation programmes will be conducted for teachers, school staff and students.

Messages regarding protection against heatwaves and emergency contact numbers will be displayed at prominent places on school campuses. Instructions have also been issued to ensure that every school has a first aid kit, ORS, a digital thermometer, and the necessary medical contact arrangements, including the 108 ambulance service.

According to the guidelines, school timings will be determined in accordance with the government's directions. Morning assemblies, sports, physical education and other outdoor activities will be conducted before 10 am. During orange or red heatwave alerts, all strenuous physical and outdoor activities will remain suspended.

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Drinking water, ventilation facilities in schools

Moreover, schools will have to ensure the continuous availability of clean and safe drinking water, with students encouraged to stay hydrated by drinking water every 20–30 minutes.

Along with this, functional fans, adequate ventilation, shaded spaces, tree plantation, and, wherever feasible, heat-mitigation measures such as cool roofs and reflective paint will also be promoted to create a safer and more comfortable learning environment

Schools should promote wearing light-coloured cotton clothing, using caps or umbrellas, and consuming watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, kakdi and other water-rich seasonal fruits.

Guidelines have also emphasised avoiding caffeinated, carbonated and excessively sweet beverages, and serving the mid-day meal in a clean and shaded area.

Identifying heat stress symptoms

As per guidelines, if a student exhibits symptoms such as excessive sweating, intense thirst, headache, dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps, vomiting, confusion or unconsciousness, instructions have been given to immediately shift the student to a shaded place, administer first-aid, and apply cold compresses.

However, if required, teachers have been advised to contact the 108 ambulance service or the nearest health centre. Instructions for special monitoring of students suffering from asthma, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, disabilities, or those who have recently suffered from fever or diarrhoea are also given.

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Govt to Schools: Records of heat wave-related incidents

At the same time, parents have been urged to ensure that children drink sufficient water before leaving for school, not send unwell children to school, and adopt heat wave safety practices at home as well.

Schools have also been instructed to maintain records of heat wave-related incidents, conduct regular reviews, keep a continuous watch on alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and organise mock drills from time to time, the statement added.