Punjab is considering a decision on summer vacations for schools amid rising temperatures and heatwave warnings, with neighbouring states already announcing closures. The state government is reviewing vacation dates in view of weather advisories and concerns related to children’s safety.
Punjab is experiencing high temperatures and heatwave-like conditions, with intense sunlight and hot winds affecting daily life from the morning and temperatures rising further during the afternoon. Concerns among parents regarding school-going children have increased.
The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for severe heat across several parts of northern India from 25 May to 2 June. According to the department, temperatures may increase further in the coming days. Several states have announced school summer vacations ahead of schedule in view of children’s safety.
Discussions on the issue are continuing in Punjab, with school managements and parents seeking an early decision from the government to reduce difficulties for children commuting to schools during extreme heat.
Neighbouring state Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have already announced summer vacations. The Chandigarh administration has declared holidays in all government and government-aided schools from 23 May 2026 to 30 June 2026.
The Haryana government has also decided to close schools ahead of schedule, implementing summer vacations from 25 May. The decision was taken following a meeting between the Chief Minister and the Education Minister. The government cited the Meteorological Department’s orange alert and children’s safety as reasons for the move.
The Haryana Education Department said rising heat and heatwave conditions could adversely affect children’s health, leading to a precautionary decision to close schools earlier.
According to sources, the Punjab government may soon make an official announcement regarding summer vacations. Reports indicate that the school schedule has already been affected by MC elections on 26 May and the Bakrid holiday on 27 May. In this context, there is a possibility that summer vacations could begin from 28 May.
No formal order has yet been issued by the Education Department, although the situation is under continuous review at the administrative level. The Punjab government may take a decision soon in view of weather warnings and steps taken by neighbouring states.
Several private schools and parent organisations have also urged the government to announce vacations at the earliest, stating that continued extreme heat is making it difficult to send children to school. Attention remains focused on the state government’s next announcement.
