Berhampur: Even as a state government notification has asked all schools and colleges to remain closed till June 18 due to intense heat, students of government ITI colleges in this district have to attend classes in the scorching condition.
These students have been deprived of the summer vacation and have to attend classes from 10 am to 4 pm at ITIs in Berhampur, Chhatrapur, Purushottampur and Hinjilicut.
The principals of these colleges claimed that they have not received any notification from directorate of technical education and training (DTET) about the holidays.
According to sources, a letter from the DTET joint director SK Mishra was sent to all ITIs asking them to function during the morning hours. As per the letter, practical classes of the students should be held from 6 am to 9 am while theory classes should be conducted from 9.15 am to 11 am.
Till May 15, these colleges stuck to the schedule but since then have returned to the usual 10am-4pm timing, students alleged.
The college authorities claimed that the letter from the joint director had asked them to follow the morning schedule only till May 15.
Five sunstroke deaths have been reported from the district so far this summer and under these scorching conditions guardians are concerned about the health of their wards who attend ITI colleges. PNN