Impractical school guidelines trip up heatwave response

News

By Sajeniya Sathanandan

Despite a collective commitment to student safety, a lack of infrastructure, water facilities and impractical guidelines have created a critical dilemma for professionals managing heat wave risks.

When questioned about the impractical guidelines issued to protect students from heat, Deputy Education and Higher Education Minister Madhura Senevirathna told the Sunday Times that sanitary and water facilities were the top priority of the 2025 budget. While some projects are still underway, many are completed, particularly in the estate sector. The deputy minister said that ongoing work is intended to eventually cover all schools that do not have the infrastructure.

For schools facing challenges where guidelines cannot be easily met, the minister suggested protocols, including that principals should seek instructions and opinions from their immediate supervisors or provincial directors if they encounter problems.

Read more in today's Sunday Times edition here