Wednesday 22 / July / 2026
MUSCAT: Indian Schools across Oman have suspended all outdoor activities, including physical education classes, sports and morning assemblies, as part of a comprehensive heat safety protocol issued by the Board of Directors to ensure the well-being of students during the peak summer months.
The directive, which comes as schools reopen for the new academic session, places student safety, health and comfort at the centre of school operations. The Board said every decision and policy is guided by its commitment to providing a safe, secure and nurturing learning environment across all Indian Schools in Oman.
"As schools resumed classes in mid-July, we are seeing an attendance of around 85 per cent across all schools. The safety, health and well-being of our students remain our absolute highest priority," the Board said.
Under the new measures, all outdoor activities have been suspended and will only resume when weather conditions become safe and favourable. Schools have also been instructed to incorporate regular hydration breaks throughout the day and ensure students have access to chilled, hygienic drinking water through properly maintained filtration systems.
The Board has directed all schools to conduct mandatory inspections of air-conditioning systems in classrooms, laboratories, common areas and school buses, with immediate repairs wherever required. School transport operators have also been instructed to maintain optimal cooling inside buses and ensure that students are never made to wait inside parked vehicles during pick-up or drop-off.
Special attention has been mandated for younger children and students with pre-existing medical conditions. In addition, school clinics have been fully equipped to deal with heat-related illnesses, while teachers and staff have been trained to identify early symptoms of heat stress and respond promptly.
The Board said the measures reflect its child-first approach to education by embedding care, precaution and safety into the daily functioning of schools. "As we welcome children back to the classroom, we have taken immediate, proactive steps to shield them from adverse weather conditions so they can focus on what matters most—learning, growing and thriving," said Board Chairman Syed Ahmad Salman.
Reflecting on the Board's broader educational philosophy, Salman said recent disruptions to Board examinations had reinforced the importance of continuous learning over one-time assessments.
"Twice in the last six years, including this year, the world drifted beneath our feet as Board examinations could not be conducted. That emotional awakening taught us that education is not a cold, single moment of judgement, but an enduring labour of love—a continuous sanctuary of guided growth where every single day is a promise kept to our children," he said.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development, stating that it will continue to work closely with school leadership teams to provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment for every student across its affiliated institutions.
