Recent extreme weather conditions in Pakistan, such as thick fog in the winter and intense heat in the summer, have interfered with school schedules, forcing closures and impeding student learning.

The education ministry's most recent change to the school timetable is evidence of the unstable environment that students must contend with. Due to heavy fog, several cities, including Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, had closures last year.

Furthermore, Punjab experienced shutdowns due to smog, which made students—especially those from low-income families—more susceptible to respiratory problems and eye illnesses.

Additionally, rising temperatures put vulnerable pupils at risk for heat-related diseases and dehydration. The increasing severity and regularity of heatwaves in Pakistan's plains were also emphasized by the ministry of climate change.

Pakistan has recently had some of the hottest temperatures on record, according to recent weather data, which highlights the severity of this trend, ministry spokesperson Muhammad Saleem said in a statement to APP.

It is predicted that Pakistan will see more frequent and severe heatwaves. In June 2021 and May 2022, for example, temperatures in Jacobabad exceeded 50°C. There are serious health concerns associated with this intense heat, such as heatstroke and dehydration.

In order to lessen the effects of heatwaves, Saleem emphasized a cooperative strategy encompassing departments at the federal, provincial, and district levels. He outlined the steps taken by the government to protect infrastructure and human lives by enhancing climate resilience.

Extreme weather can interfere with education by making pupils uncomfortable and unable to concentrate, especially on hot days, according to Nasreen Shah, a senior educationist at a government institution who spoke with APP.

She made the point that crammed buses during the sweltering summer months also raised the danger of heat-related illnesses in youngsters and that both overcrowding in classrooms and insufficient clothing contributed to discomfort and breathing difficulties.

Shah underlined the significance of maintaining school safety and ongoing instruction regardless of the weather, pointing out the necessity of policies that put kids' health and welfare first.

If a child has a heat-related ailment, such as a high body temperature, fast heartbeat, headache, or dizziness, doctors have urged taking quick action. Family physician Dr. Gulam Fareed suggested getting help if symptoms were worse.

Bushra Iqbal Hussain, a child rights activist, highlighted the significant influence that climate events have on children's health. She brought up the disastrous floods of 2022, which devastated over 26,000 schools and caused 3 million children's education to be disrupted.

She was sorry that closing schools during emergencies led to lower learning levels and dropout rates. In order to protect children and make sure they are resilient and prepared to face the challenges presented by climate change, she called for coordinated actions.