Punjab announces summer vacation in schools

Due to the severe heat wave sweeping across Punjab, the provincial government has announced summer vacation. According to a notification, summer vacations will start from June 1 to August 14.

According to the notification, schools across Punjab will open on August 15 and the decision will apply to both government and private schools. 

Earlier, the government announced a change in the operational hours of educational institutions to protect students and staff from the extreme temperatures.

According to a notification, schools will now remain open from 7am to 11:30am, effective immediately. This schedule will apply from Monday to Thursday. The decision was made in response to the escalating heat, with the aim of minimizing exposure to the harsh midday sun.

According to the education department, all schools have been directed to implement necessary measures to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for students. These measures include ensuring that all fans are functional and that water coolers are available and operational. Additionally, schools are instructed to prevent students from staying in open spaces or lawns during school hours to avoid direct exposure to the sun. 

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat had earlier said the issue of early summer vacations was under active consideration. The Department of School Education would make a decision regarding the summer holidays next week after evaluating the ongoing heatwave's intensity, he had said. 

The minister had also stated that a final decision on early summer vacations would be made in the last five days of May, taking into account the prevailing weather conditions.

With the looming threat of a heatwave and increased heat intensity, the timings of federal educational institutions have also been revised as proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of students and staff. The federal educational institutions will now operate from 7:30am to 1pm.

This adjustment in the timetable aims to ensure the safety and comfort of both students and teachers during the hottest hours of the day.