With temperatures soaring and heatwave conditions worsening across Punjab, the provincial government has announced that all public and private schools will close for summer vacation starting May 28. The decision, confirmed by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, comes just days after two students tragically died from heat-related illnesses.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hayat said the step was taken “in view of the ongoing severe heatwave” and after consultations with relevant departments. Originally, schools were set to close on June 1, but the break is now starting earlier to ensure student safety.
New School Timings in Effect Until May 28
To help reduce heat exposure before schools officially close, revised school timings will be followed starting May 21. School timings will now be between 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM, as in hopes of reducing students’ time under the harsh midday sun.
“These adjusted hours will be in effect until the summer break begins,” said the minister, emphasizing that this temporary change was needed given the current heatwave.
Two Students Die of Heatstroke
The decision to close schools early follows disturbing reports of two eighth-grade students dying due to heatstroke in separate incidents in Haroonabad and Mankera. Both reportedly suffered fatal heart attacks linked to heat exhaustion.
Rescue officials confirmed the extreme heat played a direct role in the deaths, sparking urgent calls for action from parents and education advocates.
Heatwave Advisory from Met Department
The weather authorities have issued a serious alert about a worsening heat wave across Punjab and nearby regions. The weather’s heating up fast, with daytime temperatures expected to push 4 to 6 degrees higher than what’s considered normal for this time of year. In some spots, it could get even worse. Because of that, people are being told to stay out of the sun when it’s strongest and to keep drinking water throughout the day. Schools had already been told earlier this month to cut back hours or consider closing early if the heat didn’t let up.
Safety Measures for Schools
Following directives from the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), schools were instructed to:
- Provide clean, cold drinking water
- Ensure working fans and ventilation in classrooms
- Suspend all outdoor activities and sports
- Encourage students to wear light-colored, breathable clothing
Despite these efforts, the growing risk to student health led to the provincewide decision to begin vacations early.
Academic Catch-Up Plans in the Works
Minister Hayat acknowledged the disruption to the academic calendar but emphasized that student health comes first. He said the education department is working on ways to manage the learning loss caused by early closures.
“We are looking at options to ensure students don’t fall behind. But right now, keeping them safe is our top priority,” he said.
What This Means for Parents and Schools
With the summer break now commencing in just over a week from now, schools will stay open within the above mentioned hours until that date. The goal here is to keep kids safe. Parents should watch that their kids aren’t outside too long during the hottest parts of the day and remind them to stay hydrated and wear light clothes.