As the scorching summer season tightens its grip on Pakistan, educational authorities across the provinces have begun issuing official notices regarding the annual summer vacation schedule. Accordingly, the Sindh Education Department has formally declared that all government and private schools and colleges throughout the province will observe summer holidays from June 1 to July 31, 2025.
This decision, outlined in a formal government notification, applies to all districts of Sindh. The extended break is meant to safeguard students, teachers, and school staff from the health risks posed by rising temperatures, especially in areas where temperatures frequently exceed 40°C during June and July.
How Many Days of Summer Vacation Will Students Get in Sindh?
According to the official schedule, students in Sindh will get exactly 61 days of summer vacation, beginning from June 1 and ending on July 31. Educational institutions are set to reopen on Friday, August 1, 2025, unless a further extension is issued due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
This two-month break is considered standard across many regions in Pakistan, particularly in provinces like Sindh and Punjab where heatwaves are intense during the summer season.
How Long is the Summer Vacation Across Pakistan in 2025?
While the summer holidays typically span around two months nationwide, there is slight variation from province to province depending on climatic conditions:
- Punjab: Schools are closed from May 28 to August 9, 2025 — approximately 74 days.
- Sindh: Schools will remain shut from June 1 to July 31, 2025 — a total of 61 days.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): In the plains regions, primary schools will be closed from June 1 to August 31, accounting for 92 days, while schools in hilly or cold regions have a different calendar.
- Islamabad (FDE schools): Summer break is from June 5 to August 1 — 57 days.
This shows that while summer vacations generally range from 60 to 90 days in Pakistan, the exact length varies by region and educational policy set by each provincial government.
How Many Schools Are There in Sindh?
As per the latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and the Sindh Education Management Information System (SEMIS), Sindh is home to over 49,000 schools, both public and private. Here’s a brief breakdown:
- Government Schools: Approximately 42,000 institutions.
- Private Schools: Roughly 7,000, mostly concentrated in urban centers like Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.
Despite these numbers, the functional status of many schools remains a matter of concern. A significant percentage of government schools face issues such as inadequate facilities, teacher shortages, or even being completely non-operational, often referred to as “ghost schools.”
What is the Current State of Education in Sindh?
The educational landscape in Sindh is a complex mix of progress and persistent challenges. Although there have been several initiatives launched by the Sindh Education and Literacy Department in recent years to improve infrastructure, teacher training, and student enrollment, the province still grapples with serious issues:
1. Low Literacy Rate
Sindh has one of the lower literacy rates among the provinces. According to recent estimates, the overall literacy rate in Sindh hovers around 58%, with a significant gender gap — male literacy is higher compared to female literacy, especially in rural areas.
2. Infrastructure Deficiency
A significant number of schools in the province are deprived of essential infrastructure, including access to clean drinking water, functional toilets, secure boundary walls, and reliable electricity. In many remote regions, students are forced to study in open-air classrooms due to the absence of proper school buildings.
3. Teacher Absenteeism and Shortages
One of the most critical problems facing the education sector in Sindh is the chronic issue of teacher absenteeism. In addition, many schools — especially in rural districts — do not have enough qualified teachers for core subjects like science, mathematics, and English.
4. Out-of-School Children
According to UNICEF and Alif Ailaan reports, more than 6 million children across Pakistan are out of school — and a large percentage of them are in Sindh. Socio-economic barriers, child labor, and gender-based discrimination are some of the factors contributing to this alarming statistic.
5. Reform Initiatives
The Sindh government has rolled out multiple reform initiatives, including the Sindh School Monitoring System (SSMS) and the Sindh Education Sector Plan (SESP), designed to enhance oversight in schools and strengthen accountability within the education system. Moreover, collaborations with non-profit organizations and private stakeholders have helped pilot community schools and teacher training programs in some areas.
Conclusion
From June 1 to July 31, classrooms will remain empty, allowing children to rest, stay safe from the extreme heat, and recharge for the next academic session.
At the same time, the announcement also brings to light the broader context of education in Sindh — a province rich in potential yet struggling with systemic educational challenges. While steps have been taken to address these issues, much remains to be done to ensure that every child in Sindh has access to quality education.