LAHORE — In response to persistent high temperatures, the Punjab government has decided to extend summer vacations for schools across the province, delaying the start of the academic year until September 1.
Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed the change on Thursday, citing health and safety concerns due to ongoing extreme heat. A formal notification from the School Education Department has been issued, making the extension official for both public and private institutions.
Originally, students were set to return to classrooms on August 15, following summer holidays that began earlier than usual — on May 28 instead of the traditional June 1 start — due to a severe heatwave sweeping the region. Schools had also been instructed to shorten class hours during that time, with mandatory early closures at 11:30 a.m. to minimize heat exposure.
This isn’t the first time extreme weather has disrupted education in Punjab. Last year, schools were forced to shut down multiple times — once due to intense heat in May and again in November when thick smog blanketed major cities, causing air quality levels to plummet to hazardous levels.
While Punjab opts for an extended break, schools in Sindh have already resumed academic activities. The Sindh Education Department had scheduled summer vacations from June 1 to July 31, and schools reopened on August 1 as planned. That schedule was set in a steering committee meeting held in November 2024, well in advance of the summer season.
With climate-related disruptions becoming more frequent, the adjustments highlight a growing challenge for education authorities: balancing academic calendars with the safety of millions of students across Pakistan.