Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has responded to the severe heat wave by declaring early summer holidays for all public and private educational institutions starting May 22.
This decision follows extensive feedback from parents, with 96% supporting the move to safeguard children from the extreme weather conditions.
In his announcement, Hayat emphasized the paramount importance of student health and safety during the current heat wave. He highlighted that parents were consulted for their input on the holidays, with 96% of them advocating for the summer vacation to commence this week.
“The wellbeing of our students is our top priority. Given the extreme temperatures, it is crucial to take preventive measures to ensure their safety,” he stated.
Summer vacation for all public and private schools will commence on May 22. However, schools where exams are ongoing have been granted conditional permission to remain open solely for the purpose of completing these assessments, the minister added.
The official notification regarding the early holidays is expected to be released either today or tomorrow, as per the education minister’s statement.
Previously, due to the severe heat wave in Punjab, the provincial government had announced summer vacation from June 1 to August 14. According to the notification, schools across Punjab are scheduled to reopen on August 15, applicable to both government and private schools.
Furthermore, a prior notification had adjusted the operational hours of educational institutions to protect students and staff from the extreme temperatures. Under this directive, schools were to remain open from 7am to 11:30am, Monday through Thursday. This decision aimed to minimize exposure to the harsh midday sun amidst escalating heat.
