New School Timings from May 21? Punjab Revises School Timings

LAHORE – In response to the intense heatwave sweeping across Punjab, the provincial government has announced revised school timings and early summer vacations to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat shared the new schedule on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. According to the update, schools will now operate from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, instead of the earlier closing time of 12:30 pm.

In addition, summer vacations in Punjab will now begin on May 28, 2025, instead of the previously planned June 1. The minister said this change is necessary due to the extreme rise in temperatures and risk of heatstroke.

Heatwave Alert from PDMA

This decision comes after the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a heatwave warning for Punjab, especially from May 20 to May 24.

According to Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed, alerts have been circulated to all relevant departments, including Education, Health, Transport, Rescue 1122, and Local Government authorities.

A PDMA spokesperson confirmed that temperatures in most parts of Punjab may rise 5 to 7°C above the normal average, especially in plain and urban areas. Some regions may also experience strong winds and dust storms, worsening the conditions.

Public Safety Measures in Place

The Director General of PDMA has instructed all district administrations to remain on high alert. Measures being taken include:

• Ensuring clean drinking water in public places

• Equipping hospitals and mobile health units to handle heatstroke emergencies

• Public advisories urging people to avoid outdoor work during peak heat hours

The Chief Minister of Punjab has also directed officials to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary actions to protect the public from the adverse effects of the weather.