Punjab Extends School Holiday: Classes Remain Tomorrow Holiday

Flood Crisis Deepens: Punjab Extends School Holidays to September 3

Chandigarh, August 31, 2025 - In a significant announcement that underscores the gravity of the ongoing flood situation, the Punjab government has extended the closure of all schools until September 3, 2025. The decision, which applies to all government, aided, recognized, and private schools across the state, has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff amidst continuous heavy rainfall and rising water levels in rivers.

The announcement, made on Sunday, August 31, by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, comes after the previous order, which saw schools remain closed from August 27 to August 30. The state government, under the direct supervision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is closely monitoring the situation and has urged parents and students to prioritize safety and strictly adhere to the instructions issued by the administration.

The Worsening Situation on the Ground

Punjab has been battling its worst monsoon-induced floods in decades. The relentless downpour, exacerbated by the release of excess water from dams, has led to a catastrophic situation in several districts. The rivers Beas, Sutlej, and Ravi are flowing in a spate, and breached canals have inundated vast areas of agricultural land and residential areas.

The most affected districts include Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, and Rupnagar. In many of these areas, rescue and relief operations are ongoing round-the-clock. Hundreds of villages have been cut off, and thousands of people have been displaced. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to assist local authorities in rescue operations.

Impact on Education and Student Safety

The decision to extend the school holidays is a direct response to the on-ground reality. Many schools are either submerged or are being used as temporary relief camps for displaced families. In some cases, students and teachers were even stranded in their schools due to a sudden surge in floodwaters.

The government’s primary concern is the safety of the students. With roads caved in, bridges washed away, and many areas still waterlogged, it is unsafe for students to travel to school. The Education Department has also advised that schools located in flood-affected areas that are being used as relief camps will remain closed until further notice, even after the holidays are over.

The Road Ahead

The extended holiday until September 3 means that schools will now be expected to reopen on September 4, 2025, provided the weather and flood situation improve. The government has assured that a revised academic schedule and compensatory classes will be arranged to ensure that students do not fall behind in their studies.

While the extended holiday is a necessary step, it has raised concerns about the academic calendar, especially for students in their final years. However, the government has maintained that student safety is paramount and that all measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of the floods on the academic year.

The monsoon mayhem in Punjab is a grim reminder of the need for robust disaster management and infrastructure. For now, the focus remains on providing aid to the affected, and the extended school closure is a key measure to ensure that the state's most vulnerable population—its children—remain safe during this ongoing crisis