Punjab changes college timings amid heatwave warning

In response to the soaring temperatures gripping the province, the Punjab government has implemented revised timings for both public and private colleges, effective from May 21 to May 31.

The Higher Education Department (HED) of the province issued a notification on Monday, citing the decision as a measure against the “severe hot weather”. The notification outlined the following timings for colleges under the jurisdiction of the HED:

• Monday to Thursday and Saturday: 07:30 am to 11:30 am
• Friday: 07:30 am to 11:00 am
• Monday to Saturday (evening second shift): 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Additionally, the Punjab government has announced a further seven-day extension of holidays for schools due to the scorching heat.

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar made the announcement via a social media post, sharing a notification confirming the closure of all public and private schools from May 25 to 31. “Considering parents’ concerns and the severity of the weather, we have decided to grant these holidays starting this week,” stated the minister.

Sikandar emphasized that private institutes conducting examinations would be conditionally permitted to remain open, with the ministry prioritizing the protection of students from the adverse effects of the weather.

Earlier, on May 17, the Punjab government had declared the annual summer vacations for public and private schools across the province, scheduled from June 1 to August 14.

Furthermore, in light of the intense temperatures observed across various cities in the country, the Punjab government had previously adjusted school timings. According to the notification, schools were to open from 7:00 am until 11:30 am from Monday to Thursday, and from 7:00 am to 10:30 am on Fridays.