Punjab School Summer Vacations 2025: When Will Schools Close, What Has the Government Advised PDMA?

Lahore, April 11, 2025 – As temperatures continue to rise across Punjab, parents, students, and teachers are eagerly awaiting clarity on the start of summer vacations for schools in 2025. On April 9, 2025, the PDMA issued an urgent heatwave advisory, highlighting the risks of extreme heat to students and staff. According to unofficial reports circulating in the media, if the heat intensifies as predicted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (Met Office), summer vacations could begin before mid-May 2025.

The Punjab government has not yet announced the official dates for summer vacations in 2025, but recent developments suggest that an early closure of schools is likely.

Punjab Government’s Advice to PDMA on School Vacations

The Punjab government has been working closely with the PDMA to address the growing heatwave threat and its impact on schools. On April 9, 2025, the PDMA, led by Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, sent a letter to the provincial School Education and Higher Education Departments, as well as all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, recommending an early start to summer vacations. This recommendation was a direct response to the Punjab government’s advice to the PDMA to prioritize student safety amid rising temperatures fast.

The government’s advice to the PDMA includes several precautionary measures to mitigate heat-related risks in schools until a final decision on vacations is made. These measures, as outlined in the PDMA’s advisory, are:

• Adjusting School Timings: Schools and colleges have been urged to revise their schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, typically between 11 AM and 4 PM. Some schools in Punjab have already implemented revised timings from April 7 to October 15, operating from 7 AM to 11:30 AM to minimize heat exposure.
• Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water: Educational institutions must provide a steady supply of cool, clean drinking water to prevent dehydration among students and staff.
• Banning Outdoor Activities: The PDMA has instructed schools to prohibit outdoor activities, such as sports or assemblies, during peak heat hours to reduce the risk of heatstroke.
• Promoting Light Clothing: Students are encouraged to wear light, loose-fitting, and breathable clothing to stay comfortable in the heat.
• Improving Ventilation: Schools are required to ensure proper ventilation in classrooms, with functioning fans and cooling systems in place.
• Setting Up First-Aid Counters: The PDMA has called for first-aid counters in schools, staffed with personnel trained to handle heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

The Punjab government has also advised the PDMA to monitor weather forecasts closely and coordinate with the Met Office to assess the need for an early summer break.