Punjab schools to reopen Monday after shortened summer break

LAHORE: Schools across Punjab for upper classes, starting from 9th grade, will reopen on Monday (August 18) after the provincial government revised its earlier decision to extend summer vacations until September.

According to the updated schedule, classes will resume for 9th and 10th grade, O Level, A Level, and Intermediate (FA/F.Sc) students from Monday.

Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said the decision followed consultations with education experts, who advised an early reopening for senior classes to minimise academic disruption.

Earlier, in view of the ongoing heatwave across Punjab, the provincial government had announced an extension of summer vacations for both public and private schools. The School Education Department had instructed students to return to classrooms on September 1.

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However, under the revised plan, only students from 1st to 8th grade will return on September 1, as per the original heatwave-related extension. The new directive applies to all public and private schools in the province.

Education authorities have directed institutions to put in place heatwave safety measures. These include ensuring the availability of drinking water, proper ventilation in classrooms, and, where necessary, adjusting school hours to protect students from extreme weather conditions.