Amid outcry from private schools, the Punjab government announced an additional seven-day school holiday on Monday because of the scorching heat.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar announced the holidays in a post on X. The minister shared a notification stating that all public and private schools would remain closed from May 25 to 31.
“Considering parents’ opinions and the intensity of the weather, we have decided to give the holidays from this week,” he said.
The education minister mentioned that private institutes conducting examinations would be conditionally allowed to remain open. His ministry’s top priority is protecting students from the intense weather effects.
Heat Wave Alert
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted that heatwave conditions will likely develop over most parts of the country, especially in Punjab and Sindh, starting May 21. These conditions could turn into a severe heatwave from May 23 to 27.
Day temperatures will likely remain 4 to 6°C above normal in Punjab from May 21 to 23 and 6 to 8°C from May 23 to 27.