Amid an intense heatwave and soaring temperatures, the Punjab government on Monday announced the closure of all public and private schools for one week.
The shutdown, which aims to ensure the safety and well-being of students, will take effect from May 25 to May 31.
The decision comes as academic activities have been severely disrupted by the extreme heat, prompting some universities and colleges in the province to switch to online classes during this period.
Despite the closures, private schools have been permitted to continue their scheduled exams. The government has advised private institutions to implement necessary precautionary measures to protect students from the heat.
The announcement also serves as a prelude to the summer vacation period, with the government opting for an additional week off due to the adverse weather conditions. The heat wave has been particularly challenging for students, impacting their ability to engage in their studies effectively.
Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat had initially announced an early start to school holidays via his social media account, scheduling the break to begin on May 22. However, the Punjab government later reversed this decision, rescheduling the school closure to May 25 through May 31, as per an official notification.
Officials from the Punjab school education department explained that the reversal was prompted by concerns from private schools. These schools objected to the earlier date due to ongoing exams and previous adjustments to their schedules after the education ministry initially moved summer vacations from June 7 to June 1.
The education minister's announcement to close schools on May 22 was met with mixed reactions. While parents and the public largely supported the decision, private schools strongly opposed it. The decision eventually led the education department to revise the closure dates, a move that subsequently drew criticism from the public.
It is important to note that due to the extreme heat, the Punjab Health Department, following the PDM, has already issued a heatwave advisory. According to the advisory, temperatures in Lahore are expected to rise to 45 degrees Celsius, with an extreme heatwave anticipated from May 21 to May 27.
Tasleem Kausar, a public school teacher, expressed disappointment and concern over the decision to delay the school closures despite the heatwave alert from May 21 to May 27. He criticised the education minister for initially deciding to close schools in response to the heatwave but later succumbing to pressure from private school groups.
Kausar highlighted that the extreme heat begins on May 21, yet schools will not close until May 25. The delay means that students in poorly equipped schools, lacking basic infrastructure such as water, fans, and proper classrooms, will suffer.
He stressed that public school students are the ones who suffer most in this severe heat and urged the education minister not to bow to the pressure from the private sector.
"Government should prioritise the safety of innocent students over the interests of private sectors, whose students have the advantage of air-conditioned classrooms, while poor students lack even fans and water," Kausar stated.
On the other hand, public sector universities are also adhering to the decision and have announced the commencement of online classes for their campuses.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2024.
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