KATHMANDU: Birgunj Metropolitan City has instructed public and private schools to conduct classes only until 10:30 am due to the recent significant increase in temperature. This directive, which is effective immediately, was decided in a meeting of the metropolitan city.

Chief Administrative Officer Matrika Bhattarai highlighted that this measure aims to protect students' health amid the extreme heat. The directive follows the Meteorological Department's forecast indicating a possible further rise in temperatures in the Tarai-Madhes region.

Bhattarai added, "The Metropolitan City has directed the relevant authorities to restrict class hours to 10:30 a.m. until further notice." The academic losses due to the shortened school hours can be compensated later."

Birgunj metropolis comprises 92 public schools and 138 private schools. The public schools include 21 secondary schools, 15 basic schools, 55 primary schools, and one pre-primary school.