ISLAMABAD, May 24: Owing to severe hot spell and prolonged loadshedding, Ministry of Capital Administration and Development (CAD) is considering summer vacation in federal schools and colleges from June 1.

In this regard, the Federal Directorate of Education is likely to issue a notification on May 27, Dawn has learnt.

According to an official of CAD, besides severe heat, suffocation in the crowded class rooms prolonged load shedding and unavailability of water added to the miseries of the students.

“Secretary CAD has shown concerns about that issue and has instructed joint secretary CAD to see if they can start summer vacations from June 1,” he said.

“We think that schools should be open on August 13 so that students could be involved in independence day activities on August 14.

A teacher requesting not to be quoted said, “The junior section students are the worst hit by shortage of water as they have to visit toilet more often and the shortage created serious hygiene issues. With dry lips and throats, students keep visiting the water coolers and are forced to return empty-handed.

“Smooth conduct of educational activities requires facilities which are not to be had in the educational institutes. In the absence of electricity, we find it hard to breathe, what to talk of concentrating on the studies with full devotion,” said a student.

“A student of Grade 3, on Tuesday had blood running from his nose. His head was thoroughly washed but the blood did not stop. Resultantly we had to inform the parents who came and shifted him to a hospital. The incident made other students afraid,” said a female teacher.

Joint Secretary CAD, Rafique Tahir while talking to Dawn said “Secretary CAD has shown concerns about the complaints filed by parents and suggested that summer vacations should be started from Fist June and schools will reopen by 13th August,” he said.

“Most of the schools will complete their first term exams by May 31st so after consultation with Secretary CAD, I will issue the notification regarding vacations on Monday 27th,” he said.

QAU exams cancelled

Meanwhile, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad on Friday decided to end its all semesters of MSC and BS.

According to spokesman of the university, semesters were suppose to end on May 30 but because of heat wave and electricity load shedding, management was continuously getting complaints from students and there was thin attendance in class rooms.

It has further been decided that exams of all semesters which were supposed to start from June 6, now they will start from June 10.

Although Friday was last working day and university will remain closed till June 9th but students will be allowed to stay in the hostel, spokesman said.