Extreme heat wave: Punjab announces summer vacation in campuses from 28th

LAHORE:The School Education Department (SED) Punjab has announced the summer vacation for schools across the province, starting from May 28, 2025.

In response to the extreme heat wave conditions, the department has also adjusted school timings to ensure the safety and well-being of students and teachers. As per the notification, all schools, both public and private, in Punjab will remain closed from May 28, 2025, to August 14, 2025, for the summer vacation.

Afternoon schools will also observe the closure from May 21 (today), 2025, to August 14, 2025. Schools are scheduled to reopen on August 15, 2025. To mitigate the impact of the ongoing heat wave, the SED has revised the school timings. For students, the new timings are from 07:30 am to 11:30 am, Monday to Friday. For teachers, the timings are from 07:15 am to 12:00 noon, Monday to Thursday, with activities, including resource preparation, lesson planning, and continuous professional development. On Fridays, the timings are from 07:15 am to 11:30 am, focusing on academic and co-curricular activities. On alternate Saturdays, the timings are from 07:30 am to 10:30 am. The Chief Executive Officers of all districts in Punjab have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the revised school timings. Any negligence or non-compliance will be dealt with according to the law, reads the notification.

The SED has also authorised the Chief Executive Officers (DEAs) to adjust the opening and closing times of girls' schools in the district by a 15-minute gap if necessary. Public and private sector colleges in Punjab will also observe the same summer vacation schedule, reads a separate notification issued by the Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab. BS 4-year Programme (s), however, shall continue to function as per the academic calendar of the respective universities. Furthermore, all examinations/ practical examinations shall be held as per the notified schedules of respective Boards and Universities.

AFP adds: Rising temperature in Punjab forced the provincial government to close all private and public schools for summer vacation early, officials said Tuesday. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said summer vacation will now start from May 28 instead of June 1. An Education Department representative told AFP the early closures were announced because of the weather.