Teachers' associations and political leaders in Nagpur have called on CBSE-affiliated schools across the Vidarbha region to adhere to a Bombay High Court order that keeps schools closed until June 30 because of severe heat conditions. The demand was made on Wednesday, June 11, 2026, amid reports that some CBSE schools in Nagpur and nearby districts have already started classes for senior students, while others have sent notices announcing a reopening date of June 15, even though temperatures remain above 40°C in much of Vidarbha.
Ashok Gavhankar, general secretary of the Vidarbha Junior College Teachers Association, questioned why CBSE schools should be treated differently from state board institutions. “Are CBSE students robots? Doesn't the sun affect them?” he asked. Gavhankar accused education department officials of ignoring both the court's directions and earlier government resolutions, stating that “officials sitting in Pune make a mockery of the court's orders and their own decisions.” He added that a lack of strong political leadership in the education department had allowed bureaucratic overreach.
Yogesh Pathare, national convenor of the Rashtriya Shikshak-Palak Sanghatan, highlighted that the issue was especially serious in Vidarbha due to ongoing heatwave conditions. He said he would write to the state education department seeking action against schools that continue to operate despite the court's orders. “Most schools currently operating are conducting classes for standards 9, 10 and 12. Schools reopening on June 15 has created confusion among parents and students,” Pathare said.
Deepali Dably, president of the CBSE Schools Staff Welfare Association (CSSWA), stated that the high court's order left little room for interpretation. “All schools will have to comply. CBSE bylaws clearly state that affiliated schools must follow directions issued by the state's education department,” she said.
Nagpur city Congress president Prafulla Gudadhe rejected the argument that the state education department lacked authority over CBSE-affiliated institutions. “CBSE schools cannot reopen before the official date. We will not allow students' health to be compromised, and it is the education department's responsibility to ensure compliance,” he said.
The issue has gained prominence after the high court intervened due to concerns over extreme heat conditions across Vidarbha. The demand for compliance comes as temperatures continue to hover above 40°C in much of the region.
