Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The demand for early closure of schools by parents is increasing as a result of extreme hot weather in the twin cities. This demand is on the rise even though the education department announced a change in Rawalpindi school timings from next Monday.

In the last week, the temperature level touched 43 degree celsius, which is alarming and needs a prompt response of the relevant authorities in order to avoid any mishap and to counter heat-related threats to school going children.

Both the capital and the garrison city is experiencing hot weather for the last five days putting the general public at risk of facing heat-related disorders. The school children are at the greatest risk of suffering heat stroke, heat syncope, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and nasal bleeding.

The mercury level recorded the highest temperature as 43 degrees Celsius in this week, whereas the weather forecast has also cautioned that the ongoing heat wave will also sustain in the next week. The health experts believe that the current temperature recording is an emergency level as it can cause heat-related disorders.

Parents talking to the Daily Times complained that the government was not realising the weather conditions seriously. They demanded early closure of schools in the twin cities.

Abdul Razaq a resident of sector G-9 said: “Heat is at its peak in this season and even elders cannot resist the effects of sharp sunlight.” He said further: “The administrations of the schools should examine the situation and give holidays to at least young children, below 12 years of age”

Iftikhar-ul Hassan, who is a university teacher and living in sector G-10 said; “Although, education is necessary for children but it should not be at the cost of their health and life.” He added; “Being a teacher, I believe that students cannot learn anything if the weather is not suitable for them.”

A gatekeeper of Federal Government Boys Model School G-10/3 has briefed that most of the buildings of the school are single storeyed ones so they become too much hot at day time and there is no arrangement of air-conditioning in the government schools.

“The school administrations in both public and private sectors should change their timings at least during the recent heat spell for the sake of children who have to suffer severe heat at noon,” said another school teacher who did not want to be named.

Sources briefed that the Punjab Education Department has decided to reduce the school timings from 7:30 to 11:30 in replacement of prior timing of 8:30 to 1:30 and the new timings will be followed from next Monday, whereas there will be summer vacations across the province from June 1 and the academic session in schools will restart on August 14.

In Islamabad there is no confirmed schedule for summer vacations so far, but it is expected that the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) will announce vacations from first week of June this year.

The Daily Times tried to contact the Secretary Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division Hassan Iqbal and Director Schools FDE Muhammad Ali Khan but both of them were unavailable to respond.

Child Specialist Dr. Hina Akhtar Khan while commenting on the situation said; “On one side the students are under effect of heat waves at the same time the school going children are at greater risk of facing losses because most of the private and public sector schools do not have proper first aid rooms or treatment facilities.” She further advised; “Parents should provide umbrellas and pee caps to their children to avoid the direct sunlight as well as ensure the availability of safe drinking water by providing them their own water bottles.”