LAHORE – Rising temperatures over the next three months, coupled with the anticipated Eidul Adha holidays, have sparked expectations for an early start to summer vacations 2026 in Punjab schools.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a circular to the relevant departments regarding the weather situation for the next three months.
PDMA Weather Alert
PDMA said above-normal rainfall and higher temperatures are expected in May, June, and July 2026.
PDMA stated that northern and northwestern Punjab may receive above-normal rainfall, while slightly below-normal rainfall is expected in eastern Punjab. Additionally, central Punjab is expected to receive normal rainfall.
The authority also warned that temperatures across Punjab will remain above normal during May, with a heatwave and higher-than-normal temperatures expected in most districts from May 7 to May 11.
Eidul Adha Holidays
Eidul Adha Holidays are expected to start from May 27 to May 29, combing with weekend on May 30 and 31 to create a long break.
However, an official notification about Eid holidays will be issued by the government in light of the decision of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee about the Zilhaj moon sighting.
Punjab Summer Holidays 2026 Expected Schedule
Traditionally, summer holidays in Punjab begin on June 1 each year. Last year, due to weather conditions, Punjab’s Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat had announced an early start to summer vacations from May 28 for all schools across the province.
This year, with Eid holidays coinciding with the weekend at the end of May 2026, schools are expected to remain closed from June 1, effectively marking the start of the summer break. If it happens, the holidays will start from May 27.
Punjab Minister Hints and Shorten Vacations
Last month, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat had revealed that the provincial government is considering shortening summer vacations by 15 to 20 days this year to overcome gaps in education.
The proposed measures are designed to increase the number of teaching days in the academic year from the current minimum of 180 to around 190 days, reducing educational loss for students.
The minister said excessive holidays currently reduce the actual instructional time. To address this, the government is considering reducing summer vacations by 15 to 20 days and winter vacations by 5 to 6 days.
According to weather specialists, if temperatures in late May rise beyond safe and tolerable levels, authorities could be compelled to announce early summer vacations, just as they did in previous years, to protect students from extreme heat risks.
Summer Camp Request
Meanwhile, private schools in Punjab have requested permission to organize summer camps during the heat holidays to compensate for academic losses.
School owners stated that the government should allow them to conduct early-morning summer camps during the heat holidays so that students’ studies can continue uninterrupted.
They said the summer camps would be held from 7 am to 10 am to protect students from the extreme heat.
The school administration said that recent unannounced holidays have affected the duration of academic activities, and summer camps would significantly help reduce the resulting learning loss.
They added that the summer camps could largely compensate for this academic setback.
