Due to severe heatwaves expected in most parts of the country over the next 10 days, the Punjab government has decided to shorten school hours for all public and private schools from May 18 to May 31.
The Meteorological Department had warned that high pressure in the upper atmosphere would cause heatwave conditions in many parts of the country, especially in Punjab and Sindh. These conditions will start on May 21, with a severe heatwave predicted from May 23 to May 27.
Daytime temperatures are expected to be 4 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than normal in Sindh and Punjab from May 21 to May 23, and 6 to 8 degrees Celsius higher from May 23 to May 27.
People have been advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight and to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
In response to these warnings, the Punjab government’s school education department issued a notification. It stated that due to the extreme weather, all public and private schools in the province would operate from 7 am to 11:30 am on Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays, and from 7 am to 10 am on Fridays, from May 18 to May 31.
The notification also included instructions for school heads to take certain precautionary measures: making sure all fans are working, ensuring water coolers are available, and making sure no student has to sit outside in open spaces or on school lawns during the hot weather.
Chief executive officers and heads of institutions were instructed to ensure these guidelines are followed strictly.
Punjab Minister for School Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, emphasized the urgent need for climate action. He highlighted that everyone has an important role to play in reducing the effects of climate change.
Additionally, another notification announced that all public and private schools in the province would be closed for summer vacations from June 1 to August 14. The new school year will begin on August 15.