Islamabad, May 19, 2025: Extreme hot weather has started to severely disturb academic activities across Punjab, especially in small private schools which have poor classroom facilities. With the Punjab schools summer vacation scheduled to begin soon, the unbearable weather is accelerating calls for an early break.
The situation is troubling in cities, such as Lahore, where many schools lack even basic facilities of fans and water. Students in remote districts struggle even more during the closing and mid-day hours of schools when the temperature reaches its peak.
The Punjab government is reportedly considering an early closing of educational institutions. A decision in this regard is expected to be made during a meeting later this week.
READ MORE: Punjab Summer Vacation Announcement: Latest Update
The increasing temperature during the past week made it nearly impossible for young children to study in in the overcrowded classrooms with no ventilation.
The worst situation is being faced in small schools that are set up without adherence to building regulations and lack the facilities required to continue academic activities.
Most of these schools are set up in about five-marla buildings that lack proper lighting, fans, water and ventilation. . Parents often have no choice but to enroll their children in these schools because affordability.
At a time when the summer season is at its peak and a heatwave alert has been issued, the students are suffering because of school administrations poor planning to cope with the problems.
READ MORE: Punjab Announces Summer Vacation for Educational Institutions
The Punjab Schools Education Department had been informed that there was a risk of a heatwave from May 15 to 19 and advised it to necessary measures, warning that the temperature could increase by four to seven degrees Celsius.
An advice had also been issued to set up heatwave counters in hospitals, while cases of heart stroke are already being reported.
Despite these advisories, school authorities have failed to make the necessary arrangements. When a similar situation happened last year, the education ministry closed the schools in the last week of May and started online classes.
As per the current academic calendar, summer holidays in schools are scheduled from June 1 till August 9.
