‘Water bell’ will ring every 45-60 minutes in Delhi schools, Delhi government’s decision due to extreme heat and heatwave, people will be reminded to drink water.
Delhi. Amid rising temperatures, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed Delhi schools to remind students to drink water by ringing bells every 45-60 minutes and implement ‘buddy system’ so that children can keep an eye on each other’s health. These instructions are part of the latest precautionary measures issued on Tuesday for Delhi government schools, aided and recognized private schools. This step has been taken amid the warning of India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has predicted heat wave and adverse weather conditions in the national capital in the coming days.
According to the DOE circular, under the ‘water bell’ system, schools will have to ring the bell every 45 to 60 minutes so that students can avoid dehydration by drinking water regularly. The circular states that the time of outdoor meetings should be limited or they should be organized for short duration in shady or closed places and classes should not be conducted in the open. Under this, it will be mandatory for students to bring drinking water in sufficient quantity and schools have been asked to ensure availability of safe and cold drinking water at many accessible places.
The department has directed schools to avoid outdoor physical activities and organize brief awareness sessions during classes and in assemblies to educate students about water intake, heat wave-related diseases and prevention measures. Schools have also been asked to implement ‘buddy system’, under which groups of two students will be formed, and they will keep an eye on each other’s physical health.
According to the circular, class teachers have been asked to regularly share IMD advisories and heatwave and heat wave forecasts with parents and make students aware through prayer meetings and notice boards. Parents have been advised to send children to school in light, breathable cotton clothing and to stress the importance of personal hygiene, such as daily bathing.
DoE said each school will appoint a nodal teacher to monitor the ‘Water Bell’ initiative, awareness sessions and display of heat protection material. It has also been said in the circular that material related to protection from extreme heat and heat stroke should be displayed prominently in classrooms, corridors and information boards and immediate first aid and medical assistance should be ensured if necessary. The DOE said each school will have to submit an action taken report (ATR) to the respective regional deputy directors of education by May 2.
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