LAHORE:
Extreme hot weather has disturbed academic activities, especially for children in small private schools because of poor facilities in classrooms.
The situation is alarming in the schools operating in small buildings in cities, including Lahore, which even lack adequate facilities of fans and water. Students in remote districts also suffer during the closing and mid-day hours of schools when the temperature rises.
The Punjab government is likely to consider closing the educational institutions in the province because of the harsh weather and a meeting for the purpose is expected later this week.
The increasing temperature during the past week made it difficult for young children to study in in the congested classrooms.
The worst situation is being faced in small schools constructed in violation of rules that lack the facilities required to continue academic activities.
Most of these schools are set up in about five-marla buildings that lack proper lighting, fans, water and ventilation. Parents were forced to admit their children such schools because affordability.
At a time when the summer season is at its peak and a heatwave alert has been issued, the students are suffering because of lack of adequate arrangements by the school administrations to cope with the problems.
News published in the Express Tribune on 17th May 2025