
The Kerala government has implemented a water bell system in schools to ensure students maintain adequate hydration during school hours. State General Education Minister V Sivankuty announced this initiative during an event held at a vocational and higher secondary school.
As per government guidelines, bells will ring twice at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm in all state schools, reminding students to drink water. With temperatures rising, ensuring students stay hydrated is crucial during summer, officials emphasized.
Highlighting the risk of dehydration and discomfort due to rising temperatures, the minister stressed the importance of students drinking water regularly, regardless of thirst. Additionally, the provision of clean drinking water in schools is essential for students who do not bring water from home. Encouraging everyone’s support, the minister emphasized that drinking sufficient water is vital to counteract the adverse effects of increasing heat.
The General Education Department stated that Kerala is the first state in India to introduce this system. Initially implemented in 2019 in some selected areas due to high temperatures and other states like Karnataka and Telangana later adopted it. Now, the system is being implemented state-wide in response to escalating mercury levels. Each ‘drinking water’ break will last five minutes under the new system.