West Bengal Government Extends Summer Vacation of Schools Until May 31, 2025, Amidst Heatwave

KalimNews, Kolkata, May 9, 2025 :  In response to the ongoing extreme heat conditions, the West Bengal government has extended the summer vacation for all government and government-aided schools in the state until May 31, 2025. This extension, announced through circulars issued separately by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education and West Bengal Board of Primary Education on May 8, 2025, aligns with an earlier directive from the state’s School Education Department. The decision applies to all primary , secondary and higher secondary schools in the state, including those in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, which have also been experiencing unusually high temperatures.

The Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, had previously declared that summer vacations would begin on April 30, 2025, for both primary and higher secondary schools due to the severe heat conditions. While the academic calendar initially set the summer break to start on May 9, the government decided to move the dates forward to address the rising temperatures and commenced the summer vacation from April 30 except the schools of the two hill districts. Schools will remain closed until May 31, and classes are set to resume on June 2, 2025.

The decision follows concerns raised by educators, particularly regarding the potential impact of an extended vacation on students' academic progress. With the 2026 Madhyamik and Higher Secondary exams in mind, many teachers had expressed worries that prolonged school closures could affect preparation for these important exams. Under the new exam assessment system for Higher Secondary students, evaluations will take place in the third and fourth semesters, with the third semester scheduled for September.

This year’s summer vacation contrasts with last year’s longer break, which lasted nearly two months from April 21 to June 2, 2024. Many teachers had voiced dissatisfaction with the long break last year, stating that it made it challenging to complete the full academic syllabus. The new schedule aims to offer a more balanced approach, shortening the break to one month (from April 30 to May 31), ensuring that students stay on track with their education.

In line with efforts to manage the extreme heat, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been instructed to stay on high alert, with disaster response teams ready to assist if needed. This extension of the summer break aims to safeguard the health and well-being of both students and teachers.

The revised dates for the summer vacation have been implemented to address the current weather conditions and ensure the safety of schoolchildren across the state. Schools will reopen on June 2, 2025, as scheduled, and the Education Department will continue to monitor the situation to ensure a smooth academic year going forward.