aipur, May 24 -- JaipurAmid the ongoing heatwave, the Rajasthan education department on Saturday extended summer vacations in schools by a week till June 29, officials said. The decision came after a meeting between Education Minister Madan Dilawar and representatives of multiple teachers' associations, who had been protesting for the last 15 days demanding an extension. According to the minutes of the meeting shared by an education department official, "A meeting was held over the long-time pending demands of the school teachers. Following a detailed discussion, we have reached an agreement on a few demands. The classes will now commence on June 29 instead of previously notified June 21 after the summer vacation. A formal notification for this will soon be issued. The quick action will also be taken for the staffing pattern and transfers." Around 4 lakh school teachers across the state have been staging dharnas outside block education offices for the past 15 days seeking an extension in the vacation period. "The government had unnecessarily cut the vacation period this year. It is supposed to be for 40 days. But the government directed us to open the schools nearly a week before. Following our massive protest, they agreed to our demand today. The heatwave is more intense this year. Meanwhile, many teachers were also appointed for Census work. It is unjust to cut the vacation short this year," said Ramkrishn Agrawal, president of the All Rajasthan Teachers' Association. "Former Education Minister Devnani also increased school hours. All organizations, except those affiliated with the Provisional Government, chose the path of conflict. Devnani was forced to retreat and withdraw the increase in school hours. Current Education Minister Madan Dilawar faces a similar situation. Schools that were supposed to open on June 21 will now open on June 29, only on paper, because every teacher has two days of casual leave left, and they will definitely use it! In reality, schools will undoubtedly reopen on July 1," he added. Meanwhile, Rajasthan continued to reel under intense heatwave conditions, with Chittorgarh recording the highest temperature in the state over the last 24 hours at 44.2 degrees Celsius, according to the meteorological department on Saturday....