Cold weather has forced schools across the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (KhMAO) to alter their schedules significantly due to extreme temperatures plummeting as low as -32 degrees Celsius. On March 10, 2025, local authorities decided not to extend the quarantine imposed for students, which had started on February 26 to combat the spread of illness amid freezing conditions. Instead, the students will be allowed back to classrooms on March 12.
During the quarantine, students from grades 1 to 8 participated in remote learning, whereas high school students from grades 9 to 11 maintained traditional classes. According to the press service of the mayor's office, "Решение не продлить дистант для учеников с 1 по 8 классы приняли только что на заседании санитарно-противоэпидемической комиссии," indicating the decisions stemmed from health commission assessments.
The effects of the cold snap were felt far and wide throughout KhMAO, prompting additional school cancellations. On March 11, morning classes were canceled across several municipalities, with synoptic weather reports forecasting continuing cold and abnormal frosts during nighttime. Although temperatures are expected to rise slightly during the day, safety concerns have taken precedence.
Throughout the region, particularly noted municipalities like Surgut and Nefteyugansk saw students from grades 1 to 4 ordered to remain at home. A report from URA.RU detailed, "Занятия первой смены с 1 по 4 класс отменяются. На момент объявления температура составляет -32 градусов." This reveals just how cold it has become, emphasizing the need for schools to respond quickly to weather changes.
Reports show the frigid conditions impacted numerous towns; many students from grades 1 to 8 were learning remotely throughout the quarantine, leaving parents and guardians concerned about education continuity. Cities such as Beloyarsky, Kogalym, Lyantor, and Pokachi also had schools switched to distance learning for safety reasons.
Synoptic meteorologists provided additional forecasts indicating harsh conditions will continue. Nights are expected to remain bitterly cold through March 12 and 13, prompting continuous vigilance from local authorities.
Parents are advised to keep informed about potential updates from schools via the regional government app, allowing them to track sensitive weather changes as they can also signal direct impacts on school schedules. The system helps notify residents about conditions affecting student attendance.
Local residents are bracing for potentially more challenging conditions as forecasts indicate limited sunshine and open skies for the upcoming weeks. While the region is accustomed to cold, the extremes expected this season require continued innovation and responsiveness by educational and public health sectors.
With the temperature fluctuability and weather variability being commonplace, the schools across KhMAO remain adaptive, focusing on ensuring students' well-being and educational engagement alongside public health directives. The hope is this situation will not become the new normal, but rather serve as another example of community resilience.
Despite disruptions, the spirit of learning persists, and students are reminded things could improve rapidly. Authorities wish them luck as they prepare for the return to classrooms following this extended cold episode. The situation has not only reinforced the importance of experiential learning but also how closely integrated education is with environmental conditions which can make the difference between attendance and absence.
Looking forward, educators remain vigilant, aiming to resume normal operations, ensuring students return to studying with rich educational experiences as soon as weather conditions allow. For now, keeping warmth will be the priority as the return to learning approaches, urging students and families to remain safe.