An official of the School Education Department says children need to stay hydrated amid rising temperatures.
| Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
The water bell, introduced by the School Education Department last year to ensure that students remained hydrated, has been forgotten by most schools in the city. Teachers say the initiative was not implemented properly last year as well.Doctors and teachers had welcomed the move that aims at preventing dehydration of students and teachers amid rising temperatures. The bell would be rung at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. to remind students and teachers to drink water.“I remember the announcement of the water bell by the department; however, it was not taken seriously. The move was not properly implemented last year, too. While some schools may have carried it out for the first few days, this year, it has been entirely removed,” a government schoolteacher from Puzhal said.While many parents across the city said the water bell initiative was being implemented, some others said that it was no longer being followed.“It had really helped my daughter to stay hydrated as she needs reminders to drink water. However, the school does not seem to insist on ringing the bell,” Sheeba (name changed), a parent from Mogappair, said.‘Not being followed’Nadhiya, a mother of two children in Ayanavaram, said the water bell instruction was not being followed this year. “Even at the beginning of the last academic year, it wasn’t followed properly. This year, so far, no such bell has been rung,” she said.A School Education Department official said, “As temperatures rise across the State, it is important to stay hydrated, and the water bell was a move to tackle that. The instruction still stands and we will insist that schools follow it.” Published - June 12, 2026 12:54 am IST
