The dipping mercury could now affect the schedule of schools and pre-schools in the Capital. Most city schools, scheduled to reopen on Monday, have notified that the dip in temperature could set back the date of opening by a few days. Authorities at several schools said the other option could be delaying the morning hours to save the children from making their way in biting cold.

“The day temperature, for now, is fine. So we might extend the time when students come to school — from, say, 8 am to 10 am,” said Jyoti Bose, principal of Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan. “If the government sends a notification, we can also delay the date of reopening by two or three days.”

Suman Nath, principal of Tagore International School, said the next five days would be “crucial” in determining the date on which the school reopens. “Delhi’s weather is highly unpredictable,” she said. “I am hopeful that it will improve but if the severe cold condition prevails we will have to think again.

“Otherwise, the date of opening remains as scheduled.”

Suruchi Rastogi, academic coordinator at Kangaroo Kids Pre-School, said, “We still haven’t decided whether there will be a change in the day of reopening. But if the cold weather continues and the dates are shifted, we will notify parents beforehand.”

But as the schedule of many schools hangs in uncertainty, Salwan Public School principal Vandana Puri said she is certain the weather would not affect the school’s calendar. “Children should be taught how to be strong and face the winters,” Puri said. “We have never delayed our dates, and we have no plan of doing so this time.”