Schools in Kerala have recently announced that they will have water breaks, wherein schools will ring bells and ask students to drink water. This will help ensure students drink adequate quantities of water. Water bells are rung three times a day and it continues for 15 to 20 minutes. Although the quantity of water to be drunk has not mentioned.
Following their footsteps, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana too announced they will have water bells. Having water bells will prevent dehydration and urinary infections in children. Indraprastha Vidyalaya in Uppinangady, Karnataka has already implement the process. Jose MJ, Principal of Indraprastha Vidyalaya, told The New Indian Express, “After parents spoke about this issue, we looked into it and found that many students had headaches and stomach pain frequently. We came to the conclusion that it was due to the lack of fluid in their body and took a decision to put up water bells. The first bell is at 10:35 AM, after the first period, another is at 12:00 AM and the last one is at 2:00 PM. Our teachers also check if the children are drinking adequate water or not.”
Karnataka Education Minister Suresh Kumar has instructed the commissioner for public instruction to take necessary measures in this regard.
On a similar note, K.A. Sengottaiyan, the Tamil Nadu School Education Minister too declared that schools will have water bells. Ten-minute breaks at regular intervals will be given between classes for them to drink water. An announcement on its implementation across schools will be made soon by the School Education department.
Concerned about dehydration among children, today, the Telangana’s state Education Minister Patlolla Sabitha Indra Reddy has also ordered all District Education Officers to implement the water bells in Telangana schools.