Due to the relentless heatwave in Sindh, Pakistan, the provincial education department has announced an extension of the school summer holidays by two weeks, impacting over 100,000 schools. Atif Vighio, a spokesperson for the Sindh education department, stated, “We decided to close schools for an additional 14 days for the children’s well-being.” This move comes as Pakistan faces increasing vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, including more intense and frequent heatwaves and heavier monsoons, driven by climate change.
Heatwave and Power Crisis
The decision to extend the holidays is a response to both the soaring temperatures and the frequent power outages, known locally as load-shedding. These power cuts, a result of the ongoing power supply crisis, vary in duration from city to city. In rural areas of Sindh, power cuts can last more than 12 hours a day, leaving schools without fans and making the heat even more unbearable.
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A public school teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns about the situation, saying, “As a teacher, I am worried about how I will complete the curriculum, but as a mother, I am concerned about kids going to school in this heat. It is the load-shedding we are worried about, not just the heat.”
Impact on Education and Curriculum
The extension of the summer break poses challenges for educators, who now face the task of completing the curriculum within a shorter timeframe. Despite these concerns, the safety and well-being of students have been prioritized. The Sindh government’s decision highlights the severity of the heatwave, with temperatures in parts of rural Sindh peaking at over 50°C (122°F) in May and June.
National and Regional Implications
This decision is not isolated to Sindh alone. Authorities in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, also started summer vacations a week early in May to protect children from the extreme heat. The ongoing heatwaves highlight the broader issue of climate change and its impact on South Asia. According to UNICEF, more than three-quarters of children in South Asia — approximately 460 million — are exposed to temperatures above 35°C (95°F) for at least 83 days each year.
Pakistan, despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, has experienced severe weather-related disasters in recent years due to changing weather patterns. The vulnerability of the country to such extreme weather conditions emphasizes the urgent need for adaptive measures and sustainable solutions.
Challenges and Future Measures
While the extended holidays provide immediate relief, the ongoing power crisis remains a critical issue. The government has reported that over 26 million children are out of school due to poverty, exacerbating the challenges faced by the education sector. Ensuring a stable power supply is essential for creating a conducive learning environment, especially during extreme weather conditions.
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Provincial Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah has directed the Sindh College Education Department to extend college holidays until August 14, aligning with the earlier extension of school holidays. This precautionary measure is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and staff amid the severe weather conditions and potential heavy rainfall during the monsoon season.