Chennai, May 27:
Amid rising temperature concerns flagged by the India Meteorological Department, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to postpone the reopening of schools for the 2026–27 academic year.
According to an official announcement, all schools across the state—including government, aided, matriculation, and private institutions—will now reopen on June 4 instead of the usual early-June schedule.
The decision comes after warnings from the Chennai Meteorological Centre that temperatures are likely to remain above normal during the first week of June. The School Education Department had earlier sought detailed inputs from IMD before finalising the reopening date, prioritising student safety amid prevailing heat conditions.
Typically, schools in Tamil Nadu reopen in the first week of June following summer vacation. However, authorities review the schedule each year based on weather conditions, especially when heat levels pose health risks to students.
School Education Minister Raj Mohan had stated that the government would take a final call after assessing IMD forecasts and consulting with senior officials. The postponement reflects a cautious approach to avoid exposing children to extreme heat during the reopening phase.
With temperatures expected to stay high, officials have indicated that further adjustments—such as modified school timings—may also be considered if conditions do not improve.