Extreme heat disrupts schooling in Nepal’s western Terai districts

Kathmandu-Intense heatwaves have started affecting school education in the western Terai districts of Nepal, with rising temperatures forcing several local governments to announce temporary school closures.

Due to the extreme heat, teaching and learning activities have become difficult in many areas. Authorities say schools have been compelled to suspend classes for a few days to protect students’ health.In Kanchanpur, Bhimdatta Municipality has decided to close all community and institutional schools from today for three days. Officials stated that the decision was made considering the potential health risks to students, and the holiday will be deducted from the scheduled summer break.

Similarly, Krishnapur Municipality has also announced a three-day closure of all schools within its jurisdiction starting today, citing unbearable heat conditions.Shuklaphanta Municipality has also indicated that it is holding discussions and may soon decide on a similar school closure depending on the weather situation.Teachers report that the extreme heat is already affecting students’ health and learning environment. Many children are experiencing headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating in classrooms, with some even falling asleep during lessons.Authorities emphasize that the decisions are aimed at ensuring student safety as temperatures continue to rise across the region.