The scorching heat gripping Uttar Pradesh has sparked a new debate regarding the operating hours of government schools. With temperatures consistently soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, children's health is being adversely affected, and school attendance is also on the decline. Consequently, teacher associations have intensified their demands to reschedule school hours to the cooler morning slots. They argue that, under the current schedule, academic activities are being disrupted by the intense afternoon sun and frequent power outages; therefore, a swift decision must be taken in the best interest of the children.

**Demand to Change School Timings Due to Heat**
Amidst the intense heatwave in Uttar Pradesh, demands to alter the schedule of council-run schools have gained momentum. In several districts, temperatures have already breached the 40-degree mark, making it increasingly difficult for children to study effectively within school premises. Teacher associations point out that the current school timing—from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM—is ill-suited for the prevailing weather conditions. Consequently, there is a growing demand to shift the school hours to an earlier slot—from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM—in order to shield children from the harsh afternoon sun.

**Impact on Children's Health and Attendance**
According to the teacher associations, the extreme heat causes children to tire easily and significantly increases their susceptibility to illness. Particularly in rural areas, sitting through classes becomes arduous due to the persistent problem of power outages. Furthermore, children commuting from distant localities are forced to make their way home under the blazing sun at dismissal time, a situation that poses a serious risk to their health. This is the primary reason why student attendance in schools has been steadily declining.

**Citing Past Regulations and the RTE Act**
Teachers have highlighted that, until 2015, the standard summer schedule for schools ran from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Moreover, the Right to Education (RTE) Act itself stipulates a provision for a five-hour instructional period during the summer months. Given these precedents, a revision of the current school timings is deemed essential. Teacher associations assert that, to ensure both the safety and academic well-being of the children, the government must take a decisive step on this matter without delay.

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