LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department has officially approved summer camp for schools across the province, but only for a limited time. Instead of the earlier proposed six-week plan, the government has now allowed schools to hold summer camp sessions for just 30 days after the Eid holidays.
According to officials, the original plan was to organise summer camp activities between June 16 and July 31. Still, the education department has chosen to shorten the lesson period because of the heat wave and upcoming Eid holidays. Official dates are confirmed and noticed after Eid.
Schools Summer Camp Will Be Free and Voluntary
The summer camp sessions will be held only in the morning, from 7:30 am to 10:00 am, to avoid the peak heat hours of the day. Importantly, no child will be forced to attend. The camps will be completely free, and schools are not allowed to charge any fee from students.
To ensure safety, the department has made it mandatory for schools to provide well ventilated rooms, clean drinking water, and proper basic facilities. These steps aim to protect children from the ongoing heatwave, which has pushed temperatures in some cities above 46°C.
Read more:Weather update: Temperatures remain high as businesses reopen after Eid
The decision to hold summer camps during this period has raised concerns among health experts and parents. Doctors have warned that high temperatures could be dangerous for young children. Earlier, the government itself advised the public to stay indoors during heatwave hours from 11 am to 6 pm.
However, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said that the summer camp will help children stay active and engaged in learning during their holidays, without putting financial pressure on parents.
Still, many families remain cautious. Most agree that while learning is important, health and safety must come first.
