LAHORE (News Desk) Educational institutions across Punjab are likely to observe summer vacations earlier than usual this year, following intense heatwave alerts and the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha holidays. Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that a final decision regarding the vacation schedule will be announced on May 11.
Proposed Dates and Duration
During a media briefing, Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat revealed that the Education Department is considering a proposal to implement summer break from May 22 to August 2. According to sources, with Eid-ul-Adha holidays expected between May 27 and 29, followed by the weekend, a long break is anticipated. Consequently, there is a strong recommendation to close schools starting May 27 instead of the traditional June 1 start date.
New Strategy to Compensate Academic Loss
The provincial minister further noted that a proposal to reduce the overall duration of both summer and winter vacations is being reviewed. This initiative aims to increase the number of annual academic days from 180 to 190, ensuring a more effective and complete academic session for students.
Establishment of Summer Camps
The Ministry of Education is also weighing the possibility of organizing official summer camps this year. Meanwhile, private school associations have urged the government to allow summer camps from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. They argue that this limited window would allow students to continue their learning process while avoiding the peak intensity of the heatwave.