Over 100,000 schools in Sindh remain closed due to heat

In response to soaring temperatures, Sindh province has extended school summer holidays by two weeks, impacting over 100,000 schools. This decision, announced by a provincial education official on Tuesday, aims to safeguard students’ well-being as the region grapples with the effects of climate change.

“High temperatures and frequent heatwaves have necessitated this extension,” stated Atif Vighio, spokesperson for the Sindh education department, in a conversation with AFP. “We decided to close schools for an additional 14 days for the children’s well-being.”

Pakistan’s susceptibility to extreme weather conditions has intensified, with more frequent and severe heatwaves, as well as prolonged and heavier monsoon seasons. The ongoing power supply crisis has compounded the situation, leading to frequent planned power cuts, known as load-shedding. In rural areas of Sindh, these cuts can exceed 12 hours daily, leaving schools without essential cooling systems like fans.

The dual challenges of extreme heat and load-shedding have raised concerns among educators and parents alike. “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,” a public school teacher, who requested anonymity, shared with AFP. “It is the load-shedding we are worried about, not just the heat.”

This extension comes against a backdrop of broader educational challenges in Pakistan, where over 26 million children are out of school due to poverty. The heatwaves that plagued the country in May and June saw temperatures soar past 50°C (122°F) in parts of rural Sindh. In Punjab, the country’s most populous province, authorities had already commenced summer vacations a week early in May to shield children from the extreme heat.

UNICEF reports that more than three-quarters of children in South Asia — around 460 million — endure temperatures above 35°C (95°F) for at least 83 days annually. Despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan has borne the brunt of severe weather-related disasters in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for climate resilience and adaptation measures.