France Manages Heatwave Impact on Schools and Exams Amid Orange Alert

France is currently grappling with a severe heatwave, leading to significant public safety measures and educational adjustments. As of June 22, the Pas-de-Calais region has been placed under an orange heatwave alert lasting until June 25, with temperatures expected to soar between 33°C and 37°C during the day and remain above 20°C at night. Prefect François-Xavier Lauch has urged the public to remain vigilant, especially concerning vulnerable groups such as the elderly and infants. Local authorities have been instructed to activate emergency plans, establish cooling spaces, and maintain public awareness of heat risks.

Educational institutions have been notably affected. According to government reports, 1,352 schools and colleges were closed on Monday due to the intense heat. Despite these closures, Education Minister Edouard Geffray announced that all oral examinations scheduled for the mornings this week will proceed as planned, reaffirming adherence to the established exam doctrine. Afternoon oral exams will be subject to a review of conditions to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and students before proceeding. Meanwhile, schools that remain open may implement schedule modifications to protect students from heat exposure.

Public safety directives also emphasize protecting workers and ensuring the safety of public event attendees by providing shaded areas and access to drinking water. The Regional Health Agency has mobilized measures in medical and social care facilities, and a dedicated hotline, Canicule Info Service, has been made available for public inquiries.

These combined responses illustrate France’s commitment to balancing the continuity of critical educational activities with public safety priorities during the ongoing heatwave crisis. Authorities continue to encourage hydration, monitoring of vulnerable populations, and heat-appropriate adaptations in workplaces and schools as temperatures remain dangerously high.