Una District Adjusts School Hours Amid Severe Winter Chill
With temperatures dropping sharply across Una, the district administration has stepped in to protect young students from the harsh weather. A temporary revision of operational hours for all educational institutions and anganwadi centers has been announced, prioritizing the health and well-being of children during this cold spell.
New Timings Effective from December 29
The order, issued by Una Deputy Commissioner and District Disaster Management Authority Chairperson Jatin Lal, confirms that the revised schedule will come into force on December 29. All government and private schools—covering pre-primary, primary, middle, and senior secondary levels—will operate from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. This arrangement will remain in place until January 31.
Meanwhile, anganwadi centers across the district will follow a slightly shorter window, functioning from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM during the same period.
Comparison with Regular School Hours
Typically, schools in the region run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM during the summer months and from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in winter. Anganwadi centers usually operate from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM in summer and from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM during winter. The new schedule pushes the start time later into the morning, allowing students to avoid the coldest hours of early daylight.
Compensating for Academic Time
To ensure that the adjusted timetable does not disrupt learning outcomes, the administration has directed schools to manage any potential academic shortfall. Institutions are expected to make reasonable adjustments to morning assembly periods and lunch breaks, ensuring that instructional time remains largely unaffected despite the shorter day.
Weather Advisory and Precautionary Measures
The region is currently experiencing minimum and maximum temperatures of 6°C and 23.6°C, respectively. Adding to the concern, the Shimla Meteorological Office has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in parts of Una district, expected to persist until December 30. The advisory specifically warns of reduced visibility during early morning and late-night hours.
In light of these conditions, the Deputy Commissioner has urged all concerned departments, school management committees, and parents to strictly comply with the revised schedule. The collaborative effort aims to safeguard children from extreme cold and fog-related risks while maintaining educational continuity across the district.
Parents and school staff are advised to stay informed about any further updates from local authorities as weather conditions evolve.
