LAHORE, PAKISTAN – In response to soaring temperatures and an ongoing heatwave, the government of Punjab province—Pakistan’s most populous region—has announced early summer vacations for all public and private schools, highlighting the growing threat of climate change across South Asia.
Originally scheduled to begin on June 1, the summer break will now start from May 28, according to Punjab’s Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat. The move follows temperature spikes as high as 46.5°C (115.7°F), reaching near-record levels for the month of April. This heatwave has gripped much of the province following a particularly dry winter.
For parents, students, and educators in Pakistan, especially in cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan, the early closures serve as a reminder of the harsh realities of climate change—a crisis that’s not only affecting Pakistan but has far-reaching effects on neighboring India and even South Asian communities in Dubai.
Adjusted School Timings Due to Weather Crisis
A formal notice from the Punjab Education Department has also directed schools to shut by 11:30 AM, shortening class hours by two hours to protect students from the extreme mid-day heat. The decision aims to ensure student safety, especially in rural areas with limited infrastructure to combat rising temperatures.
An Education Department spokesperson explained to AFP, “We had to move up the summer vacation schedule because of these heatwaves. It’s a necessary step to safeguard children’s health.”
Regional Climate Impact: From Pakistan to India and the UAE
Pakistan is among the top countries most vulnerable to climate change, with the effects now being felt deeply in the education, health, and infrastructure sectors. Similar concerns are emerging in northern India, where regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi NCR are also experiencing temperature surges and facing school disruptions.
Meanwhile, in Dubai and other parts of the UAE, where a significant Pakistani and Indian diaspora resides, such news resonates deeply. Families with children studying in South Asia often follow these developments closely, especially as Dubai also faces increasingly extreme summer temperatures.
The heatwave in Pakistan serves as a broader warning to South Asia and Gulf countries about the accelerating climate crisis. As temperature patterns become more unpredictable, governments in India, Pakistan, and the UAE will need to collaborate on sustainable solutions and emergency preparedness to protect vulnerable populations.
Not the First Time: A Growing Pattern
This is not an isolated incident. Schools in Punjab were also shut for a week in May 2023 due to similar heatwaves and remained closed for weeks in November because of toxic smog, which blanketed major cities. These environmental disruptions are now becoming a recurring challenge for educational systems in the region.
Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for South Asia and the Gulf
The early closure of schools in Pakistan underscores a growing climate emergency that impacts not only Pakistan and India but also expatriate communities in Dubai and the wider Gulf region. As South Asia continues to battle the effects of global warming, regional cooperation and proactive policies are more urgent than ever.
Families across Pakistan, India, and Dubai must stay informed and prepared, as rising temperatures are no longer a seasonal inconvenience—they are a structural challenge that affects health, education, and daily life across borders.
