Summer vacations in educational institutions across Punjab are likely to begin earlier than usual this year due to rising temperatures, heatwave alerts and the expected Eid-ul-Azha holidays, according to education and disaster management authorities.
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The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an advisory warning that temperatures across most districts of Punjab will remain above normal between May 7 and May 11, with a strong possibility of a heatwave during this period. Authorities have urged schools and parents to take precautionary measures to protect students from extreme weather conditions.
Sources indicate that Eid-ul-Azha holidays are expected from May 27 to May 29, followed by weekly off days on May 30 and May 31. This extended break is likely to influence the decision to close schools earlier than the traditional summer vacation schedule.
Under the normal academic calendar, summer holidays begin from June 1. However, due to the overlapping holidays and expected heatwave conditions, there is a strong possibility that educational institutions may be closed from May 27 instead.
Officials have not yet issued a final notification, but consultations are underway within the education department to assess weather patterns and academic requirements before making a formal announcement.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has also proposed reducing both summer and winter vacations in order to compensate for academic loss and increase the number of instructional days from 180 to 190 annually.
Meanwhile, private school associations have requested the government to allow morning summer camps from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. during the vacation period. They argue that such arrangements would help reduce learning gaps and ensure continuity in students’ education.
The Education Department has stated that the final decision regarding summer vacations will be announced after reviewing weather conditions and relevant administrative inputs, including guidance from the moon sighting committee for Eid holidays.
Read More: Schools likely to go on early summer vacations in Punjab
Parents and students are advised to stay updated as the situation may change depending on evolving weather forecasts and official policy decisions in the coming days.