Heatwave Crisis Disrupts Education in Pakistan: Climate Change Keeps Millions of Students Out of School

Climate change keeps Pakistan students home as extreme weather events wreak havoc on the country’s fragile education system. In Lahore, 17-year-old Hafiz Ehtesham describes his classroom as “a brick kiln,” while fellow student Jannat recalls nosebleeds and sweat-drenched desks due to oppressive heat. Across Pakistan, heatwaves, toxic smog, and sudden cold snaps are regularly shutting down schools, depriving millions of children of education.

Heatwaves and School Closures: A Growing Pattern

This May, Pakistan experienced a punishing heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 45°C (113°F) — seven degrees above seasonal norms. In response, provinces like Punjab declared early summer vacations, while others reduced school hours to protect students from heatstroke and dehydration.

In Balochistan, early summer closures have become routine, occurring three years in a row. Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa frequently slashes school hours due to temperature spikes, and even in Sindh — where closures are resisted — attendance drops by up to 25%.

These emergency measures, while necessary, underscore the urgent need for climate-adaptive learning strategies.

Health Risks in Overheated Classrooms

Overcrowded classrooms lacking ventilation, fans, or proper cooling systems transform into health hazards during extreme weather. With widespread power outages, learning becomes unbearable — even dangerous.

“During a power outage, I was sweating so much the drops were falling on my desk,” said 15-year-old Jannat.

Toxic air pollution adds to the burden. In November, schools in Punjab were shut down for two weeks due to smog, and another three weeks were lost in January to cold spells. These closures stack up, affecting learning outcomes and student morale.

The Educational Toll of Climate Extremes

Pakistan already faces an education crisis: over 26 million school-age children — nearly one-third — are out of school. Shockingly, 65% of children cannot read age-appropriate texts by age 10. Climate change is compounding this crisis, with frequent closures and unsafe learning environments pushing students further behind.

Education activist Baela Raza Jamil warns:

“Soon we will have major cognitive challenges because students are being impacted by extreme heat and smog over long periods of time.”

Climate Disparity: Poor and Rich Alike at Risk

Though climate change disproportionately affects the poor, the urban middle class is also feeling the heat. Poorer children often study in damaged buildings, or outside under the sun, while better-resourced schools also struggle to maintain attendance and productivity during heatwaves.

In rural Sukkur, Sindh — one of the hardest-hit areas during the 2022 floods — children are still learning in half-collapsed schools, exposed to the elements.

“Our children are worried, and we are deeply concerned,” said Ali Gohar Gandhu, a daily wage labourer.

Policy Gaps and Provincial Disarray

Pakistan’s decentralized education system compounds the crisis. Provincial education departments issue blanket closure notices, even when regions vary widely in temperature or resources. Schools in mountainous areas might be closed due to heat, even if they’re still relatively cool.

This one-size-fits-all policy wastes valuable school days and frustrates parents and teachers alike.

Rethinking the Academic Calendar for Climate Resilience

Experts are calling for an overhaul of the education calendar. Rather than centralized mandates, schools need autonomy to adjust academic schedules based on local climate conditions.

“Schools need to have flexibility in determining their academic calendar,” said Izza Farrakh of the World Bank.

Proposed reforms include:

• Holding final exams earlier in spring or spreading them out over the year
• Splitting school days to avoid the midday heat
• Adding Saturday classes to recover lost learning
• Introducing distance learning when conditions become unsafe

These adaptive strategies can help safeguard both learning and health.

Climate-Resilient Schools: A Beacon of Hope

Despite the challenges, progress is underway. With support from the World Bank and other international donors, climate-resilient schools are being built across Sindh. These schools are:

• Elevated to protect against flooding
• Equipped with solar panels
• Fitted with rooftop insulation for better temperature control

Thousands of schools have already received solar energy systems to ensure cooling even during power cuts. But with over 250,000 schools in Pakistan, far more investment is needed.

Alt Text: Climate change keeps Pakistan students home due to flood-damaged school

Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Reform

Climate change keeps Pakistan students home, but it doesn’t have to. With better planning, resilient infrastructure, and adaptive academic policies, Pakistan can transform its education system into one that withstands climate shocks.

As climate change accelerates, so must the urgency of our response. For the sake of Pakistan’s future scientists, teachers, and leaders, the time to act is now.

External References

• Pakistan Meteorological Department
• World Bank Education Projects in Pakistan
• UNICEF: Education and Climate Change

Internal Links

• How Climate Change Affects Pakistan’s Economy
• Heatwaves in Pakistan: Rising Risks and Adaptive Solutions
• Monsoon Preparedness in Pakistan’s Flood Zones