Muscat: As summer temperatures are rising significantly across many parts of Oman, heatstroke emerges as one of the most serious health risks facing children — especially school students who spend part of their day outdoors during recess or physical activities.
Despite the seriousness of this condition — which in some cases can lead to unconsciousness or even death — awareness remains limited, both among students and, at times, even among school staff. This underscores the urgent need to integrate preventive education into school activities, involving teachers, health staff, and parents in a comprehensive strategy to protect students from this silent danger.
Heatstroke occurs when the body is exposed to high temperatures and can no longer regulate its internal heat, usually due to excessive sun exposure or intense physical activity. This leads to a dangerous increase in body temperature — above 40°C (104°F) — and may cause serious complications like fainting, seizures or damage to vital organs.
Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to heatstroke because their bodies are still developing and less efficient at controlling heat. Additionally, their excitement during play often prevents them from noticing early signs of fatigue or dehydration.
Suad al Balushi, a physical education teacher, said, "Every year at the start of summer, we notice signs of fatigue and dizziness among students after PE classes. Some cases have even progressed to fainting. That’s when we realised that hydration alone isn’t enough—we need to teach our students when to stop and when to seek help.” She added: “This year, we started short awareness sessions for young students explaining what heatstroke is and how to recognise it. The results were remarkable — students became more aware and cautious during outdoor activities.” Salim al Rashdi, a school health specialist, said, “Managing extreme heat during the school day — especially during morning assembly or breaks—is a real challenge. The school must adapt schedules and limit outdoor activities during peak hours. But just as important is teaching students to take responsibility for their own health.” Maysoun al Harthi, principal of an elementary school shares her school’s experience: “We added a weekly health segment to our school broadcast called ‘Stay Safe This Summer’ focusing on sun-related risks. We saw impressive engagement—students started reminding one another to rest, drink water, or stay in the shade.” Dr Kawther al Yazeedi, a paediatrician, stresses the family’s responsibility. “Parents should make sure their children drink enough water before school and understand the dangers of playing in direct sunlight. Simple measures like packing a water bottle and a sun hat can make a big difference in preventing serious health issues,” she said.
Instilling awareness about heatstroke among school students isn’t just about protecting them during summer — it’s also about teaching them body awareness, personal responsibility, and how to act in emergencies. It builds a generation of health-conscious individuals who are better equipped to care for themselves and others.
HEATSTROKE PROTECTION MEASURES
- Rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours or moving them indoors
- Ensuring drinking water is readily available in classrooms and playgrounds
- Requiring students to wear hats during recess or PE
- Training staff and teachers on emergency response procedures
- Integrating short health lessons into the school curriculum using simple and engaging language
- Students must be trained to take quick and simple steps if they feel unwell or see a classmate showing signs of heatstroke
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
