Punjab is facing severe heatwave these days, and now situation has become tragic as two students from govt schools lost their lives due to heat-related issues.
Rescue teams said one 8th-grade student from Haroonabad died of a heart attack, triggered by high temperature. In similar incident, another 8th grader from Mankera near Bhakkar passed away after collapsing while playing football, also from a heart attack caused by heat.
Following these sad incidents, Punjab govt under CM Maryam Nawaz decided to start summer holidays earlier than planned. From May 28, all private and government schools will remain closed.
This decision came after talks with education department and other authorities, to make sure students and staff stay safe in this extreme weather.
Till holidays start, school timings now changed — from 7:30am to 11:30am — starting right away. This step taken to limit children’s time in heat during hottest hours.
One senior person from the School Education Dept said the decision was based on health alerts and weather warnings which say high temperatures will stay for coming days.
“Kids’ safety is top concern. That’s why holidays are being started earlier, to save them from heatstroke or other heat-related issues,” said official.
