Bhubaneswar: The Odisha state government has announced a new date for the reopening of schools for the 2025 academic year, moving it to June 20 from the initially planned June 18. This change is attributed to the rising temperatures and the onset of the monsoon season.

This update was communicated through a letter issued by the School and Mass Education department to all District Education Officers (DEOs).

In a bid to prioritize student health, all educational institutions are instructed to provide mid-day meals (MDM) starting from the first day of reopening for students aged between 6 and 14 years. Additionally, the government is contemplating the introduction of morning school hours (6:30 am to 10:30 am) in certain districts, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.

Even with the decline in Covid-19 risks, schools are encouraged to uphold rigorous hygiene standards, ensure access to clean drinking water, and continue health monitoring to foster a safe educational atmosphere.