India, March 29 -- Due to the ongoing heat wave in the state, the School Education department has issued an order mandating that all schools operate only in the morning. Afternoon sessions have been strictly prohibited across the state. According to the circular, primary schools will function from 7:00am to 11:15am while secondary schools will operate from 7:00am to 11:45am. The instruction is applicable to all schools in the state irrespective of the management.

The move comes after temperature rose to 40 degrees Celsius in Vidharbha and Kalyan Rural. An official from the School Education department said that these two regions along with Thane Rural and Pune are experiencing lower attendance in afternoon sessions, which prompted the gov...