Delhi schools to close from May 11 due to scorching heat

Delhi government on Tuesday ordered all schools in the city to advance their summer vacation to May 11, providing relief to lakhs of school children from the tormenting heat that has swept the capital.

The Education Department issued the order to this effect to all private, government-run as well as those under the municipal bodies to observe the "mandatory summer vacations".

"The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued a circular to all the heads of government/aided/private/NDMC /MCD /DCB schools directing them to observe mandatory summer vacations from May 11," an official statement said.

It said the decision has been taken in view of the searing heat and predictions of temperature rising further. The national capital yesterday witnessed the hottest day of the season with mercury soaring to 44 degrees Celsius, five notches above the season's average. The maximum temperature settled at 39.6 degrees Celsius today.

While the summer vacations in government-run schools begin from May 10 every year, private schools have varied schedules. The duration of the summer vacation is around one and a half months.

There are over 3500 private schools, 1150 government-run schools and over 2500 schools run by various civic bodies in the city.