LAHORE: Educational institutions in Punjab may see an early start to summer vacations this year due to extreme weather and upcoming religious holidays.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a heatwave alert, predicting above-normal temperatures across most districts through May, June, and July.
A serious heat outbreak will occur between May 7 and May 11, for which safety officials need to protect students. Eid-ul-Azha 2026 will become the main reason that causes the schedule to shift.
Astronomical forecasts suggest the holiday will likely fall on Wednesday, May 27. The timing creates a long break because holidays would extend from May 27 until May 29, which would follow through to the weekend that begins on May 30 and 31.
The authorities decided to shift the official start of summer break from June 1 to May 27 because of this situation. Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat needs to address safety issues while he works to recover educational time that schools have lost.
He has proposed a plan to increase the academic year from 180 to 190 days. The government plans to reduce all summer and winter breaks for students by several days to complete this task.
Private school owners have also requested permission to hold early-morning summer camps from 7 am to 10 am to help students keep up with their studies during the heat
The Punjab Education Department will make a final decision after May 15, following a review of the weather and the official moon-sighting announcement by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. For now, parents and students should prepare for a likely closure in late May.
