Punjab Schools Summer Vacations Announced Early Due to Heatwave
The heatwave is expected to continue, and the government's efforts to provide relief to residents are ongoing. The PDMA has advised educational institutions to alter working hours or declare early summer holidays if excessive heat persists, and other provinces, such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have also revised school timings to protect students from the heatwave.
The Punjab government has announced summer vacations for schools from May 28, a week earlier than initially planned, due to the ongoing heatwave in the province. The schools will reopen on August 15, and until then, the school hours have been reduced to 7:30am-11:30am to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
The decision was made in response to the intense heatwave that is expected to continue, with temperatures remaining 4-6°C above normal in South Punjab and 7°C above normal in central and upper Punjab. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert, and departments have been instructed to remain on alert to provide necessary assistance to residents, especially children, women, and senior citizens.
Colleges and universities will also close from May 28, and the government has advised residents to take precautions, avoid direct sunlight, and stay hydrated. First aid for heatstroke should be ensured in hospitals and mobile health units. The Punjab Minister for Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, announced the summer vacation for schools across the province, citing the need to protect students from the extreme heat.
The revised school timings, which came into effect from May 21, will help reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses among students. The government's decision to announce summer vacations early is a welcome move, and it is hoped that it will help mitigate the effects of the heatwave on the province's residents, especially the vulnerable populations.