We are deeply concerned about the health and safety of our children as severe heatwave is now sweeping the country. The unusual rise in temperature poses grave risks, particularly for young children considered to be an especially vulnerable population to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and diarrhoea caused by dehydration. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Sunday again issued country-wide third phase heat wave alert for the next 72hours.
According to the UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI), children in Bangladesh are at ‘extremely high risk’ of the impacts of climate change. All especially parents, guardians, teachers and locals must be extra vigilant in keeping children hydrated and safe as primary and secondary schools and colleges across the country opened yesterday amid heatwave. However, the pre-primary class activities will remain closed until further notice. Guidelines were also issued for schools and college reopening amid heatwave.
Academic activities will be held on every Saturday until further notice to make up the loss of lessons caused by closure of the institutions due to heatwave and other reasons. Academic activities which are performed outside classrooms will remain limited.
On April 20, the government decided that all primary and secondary schools, and colleges across the country will remain closed from April 21 to 27 due to the heatwave. The schools and colleges were supposed to reopen on April 21 after the Eid and Pahela Baishakh holidays.
As primary and secondary schools, along with colleges, reopen yesterday, parents expressed concerns about the scorching heat and its potential impact on their children’s health. They urged the authorities concerned to protect children from the severity of this heatwave.
With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, we must prioritise the well-being of children and the most vulnerable population. To protect children from this heatwave, the authorities of schools and colleges, teachers, parents and local administration have to work together to ensure health safety of students.
Wherever children are staying, create cooler places for children to sit or play. Avoid being outdoors during the hot midday and afternoon hours. All have to make sure that children wear light, breathable clothes and drink plenty of water throughout the day. If a student shows symptoms of heat stress (like dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, mild fever, nosebleed, muscle cramps, heath rashes in diaper area), place him or her in a cool, shaded area with good ventilation and apply wet towels or cool water to the body, experts say. Severe symptoms of heat stress such as (confusion or inability to respond, fainting, high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, seizures and loss of consciousness) require urgent hospital care.
Parents expressed concerns about the scorching
heat and its
potential impact
on their children’s health
BMD has forecasted that the current heatwave conditions, which recorded a high of 42.7°C in Chuadanga on Friday, may persist. The government’s proactive measures aim to balance educational needs with health and safety concerns during this challenging climate period.
Although the authorities have announced these measures and timing to lower the impact of the heatwave on students, we still remain worried over the intense heat potentially causing students to fall ill.
Just wearing the school uniform in this heat will be a challenge. Besides, overcrowded classrooms can be the cause of students’ pains and sufferings.
Students are now attending the schools with the heatwave still raging. If any student falls ill or meets any tragic incident caused by heatwave who will take the responsibility?
Hospitals in capital Dhaka, different metropolitan cities, district towns and upazila headquarters are witnessing a surge in patients across the country presenting with various heat-related symptoms, including cold, cough, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, sore throat, and shortness of breath. Children are getting dehydrated due to excessive sweating. They (children) are primarily being treated for complications related to pneumonia, cold, fever, cough, and asthma. We think parents, guardians and teachers should take extra measures to ensure sound health and safety measures of students amid severe heatwave.