Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Sunday announced a holiday in all government schools, colleges and universities for the entire next week in the wake of the scorching temperature in the state.

Speaking to a local television channel ABP Ananda, Banerjee said that her government had already preponed the summer vacation in the wake of the excessive heat conditions.

The summer vacation was earlier scheduled to commence on May 2.

However, taking into consideration "the difficulties faced by students of schools and colleges", the chief minister made the announcement and requested the private educational institutes to abide by the same.

"We have preponed the summer holidays to prevent students from falling sick. Taking into account the scorching heat and the alert from the weather department, I am declaring a holiday in all schools, colleges and universities for the coming entire week. I am also requesting the private schools too to abide by the decision," Banerjee said.

Kolkata is currently experiencing massive heat conditions with maximum temperatures as high as 41 degrees Celsius.