LAHORE: Due to the severe heat wave sweeping across Punjab, the provincial government has announced summer vacations.
According to a notification, summer vacations will begin in Punjab from June 1 and end on August 14.
Schools across Punjab, both government and private, will reopen on August 15, as stated in the notification. Earlier, the government had adjusted the operational hours of educational institutions to protect students and staff from the extreme temperatures.
The new schedule, effective immediately, has schools open from 7 am to 11:30 am, Monday to Thursday. This decision aims to minimize exposure to the harsh midday sun in response to the escalating heat.
Additionally, the education department has directed all schools to implement necessary measures to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for students. These measures include ensuring all fans are functional, water coolers are available and operational, and preventing students from staying in open spaces or lawns during school hours to avoid direct sun exposure.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that the issue of early summer vacations is under active consideration. The Department of School Education will decide regarding the summer holidays next week after evaluating the ongoing heatwave’s intensity.
The minister mentioned that a final decision on early summer vacations would be made in the last five days of May, considering the prevailing weather conditions.
In response to the heatwave, the timings of federal educational institutions have also been revised as a proactive measure to safeguard the well-being of students and staff. Federal educational institutions will now operate from 7:30 am to 1 pm.
This adjustment aims to ensure the safety and comfort of both students and teachers during the hottest hours of the day.
