Nagpur: While the district administration has imposed strict restrictions on school timings due to the ongoing heatwave, serious concerns are now being raised over private coaching institutes continuing regular classes – potentially putting students’ health at risk.
Across the city, students from areas like Pardi, Manish Nagar, and Besa are travelling long distances daily to attend coaching classes in IT Park and other hubs. With temperatures soaring above 44°C, parents and citizens have reported cases of students fainting due to heat exposure.
This raises a critical question – do heatwave guidelines apply only to schools, or are coaching institutes exempt?
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Apr 28- 2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
What Government Guidelines Say
Recent directives by the Nagpur administration clearly prioritize student safety:
- School timings have been capped at 10:30 AM for all schools, irrespective of board affiliation.
- Under the city’s heat action plan, classes are to be conducted only between 7 AM and 10:30 AM to avoid peak heat exposure.
- Authorities have also warned of action against institutions violating these guidelines.
At the state level, Maharashtra has already issued broader directives:
- Schools must operate only in morning hours (approx. 7 AM – 11:15 AM)
- Afternoon classes are strictly discouraged to prevent heat-related illness among students
Additionally, during extreme alerts, even schools, colleges, and coaching institutes have been ordered shut for safety reasons.
Ground Reality: Coaching Classes Carry On
Despite these clear precautions:
- Private coaching centers continue full-day or extended classes
- No visible compliance with morning-only timing norms
- Students are forced to travel during peak heat hours
- Reports of fainting and dehydration are emerging
Unlike schools, these institutes appear to operate in a regulatory grey area – prioritizing syllabus completion over student safety.
The Big Question
If:
- Schools are mandated to close early
- Outdoor work timings are revised
- Even public events are being scaled down due to heat
Then why are coaching institutes not being held to the same standards?
Public Concern Growing
Citizens and parents are now demanding:
- Clear guidelines for private coaching institutes
- Strict enforcement of heat safety norms
- Accountability in case of health incidents involving students
Because the reality is simple –
education matters, but not at the cost of a child collapsing on the way to class.
