Delhi Launches 'Heat Smart School' Pilot to Protect Students from Heatwaves
The program integrates student-led awareness initiatives and heat safety displays.
The Delhi government has launched the Heat Smart School pilot project at Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Shalimar Bagh to shield students from increasingly severe heatwaves. This initiative, reviewed by a high-level delegation on Wednesday, represents a significant step toward creating climate-resilient learning environments across the capital.
Developed under the Integrated Climate Risk Management in India project, the pilot is a collaborative effort involving the National Disaster Management Authority, GIZ India, and the local district administration. Officials inspected various practical interventions designed to mitigate high temperatures, including the installation of cool roofs, the creation of shaded corridors, and the improvement of drinking water facilities.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded the project, emphasizing that the health and safety of children remain the government's top priority. She noted that such innovative and scalable models are essential to address the challenges posed by changing climatic conditions, with plans to expand the initiative to more schools.
Beyond structural changes, the program integrates student-led awareness initiatives and heat safety displays. NDMA member Krishna S. Vatsa highlighted that these efforts encourage children to become ambassadors of climate adaptation within their own families and local communities.
District Magistrate Shailendra Singh Parihar described the project as a practical extension of the Delhi Heat Action Plan. By focusing on simple, affordable, and replicable measures, the government aims to institutionalize climate preparedness within public infrastructure and ensure a safer educational future for all students.