Due to the severe heatwave, the government of Punjab has announced summer vacations for students across the province. According to a notification issued by the Education Department, the summer vacations will commence on June 1 and conclude on August 14 for schools across the province.
Furthermore, the Punjab government has also reduced school timings to protect students from rising temperatures across the country. According to the information provided, the schools will be open from 7:00 am to 11:30 am from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, they will close an hour earlier, at 10:30 am.
The education department says all schools must make sure students are safe and comfortable. Schools need to fix any broken fans and make sure water coolers work. They must also keep students out of open areas and lawns during school hours to avoid the sun.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has already issued a warning of heatwave-like conditions likely to develop in Punjab and Sindh from May 21 with temperatures rising even further from May 23 to 27. Day temperatures are likely to remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Punjab from May 21 to 23, and 6 to 8°C above normal from May 23 to 27.