JUBA, March 26 -- South Sudan on Tuesday announced the reopening of schools from April 2 as high temperatures due to heatwaves lessen.

The government closed all schools indefinitely on March 16 because of a wave of excessive heat that was expected to last at least two weeks.

The excessive heatwave caused very high temperatures of between 41 degrees Celsius and 45 degrees Celsius both during the day and night.

Minister of General Education and Instruction Awut Deng Acuil said the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's monitoring of the daily temperature across South Sudan has revealed a steady dropping in the heatwaves, with further forecast suggesting lessening of heatwaves and the start of the rainy season expected in the subsequent weeks.

"We are therefore delighted to inform the public that the government has decided to reopen schools from April 2, however because of the unpredictability in the climate, we caution teachers to adhere to the following measures, maintain playground activities to early morning or preferably indoors, ventilate classrooms, provide water for learners during school time and monitor children especially the young ones, for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and alert medics in case of such cases," Deng said in a statement in Juba, South Sudan's capital.

She said the relevant ministries will continue to closely observe the weather situation and advise accordingly.

  - Xinhua