Winter holidays: Islamabad schools reopen, Punjab still undecided

ISLAMABAD: All schools in the capital city reopened on Monday after three weeks of winter vacation with renewed winter timings.

While Punjab still remains undecided on reopening of schools due to prevalent extensive fog, smog and cold weather.

Earlier on Sunday a fake notification regarding extension in winter vacations in the federal capital till January 16 was circulating creating confusion amongst the parents, students and teachers.

However, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training on Sunday clarified that all the educational institutions in Islamabad Capital Territory will reopen on Monday (January 8) after the winter break.

The ministry categorically rejected a “fake news” claiming that winter holidays for the federal capital’s schools has been extended till January 15 due to extreme weather conditions.

 It is pertinent to mention here that last month the ministry announced that schools and colleges under its ambit will observe winter vacation from December 24-31.

However, in view of the harsh weather conditions, the authorities concerned extended the winter break till January 7.

All the educational institutions working under the ambit of the Federal Directorate of Education reopened on Monday with winter timings of 8: 30 am till 2:00 pm.

SCHOOLS IN PUNJAB

The schools are set to reopen across Punjab on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, after extended winter holidays.

However, citizens in Punjab have urged the Punjab government to give another extension in school winter vacations due to dense fog and severe cold wave.

Earlier, the Punjab government extended winter vacations till January 9, 2024.

Owing to the harsh weather conditions, parents are demanding another extension to save students from weather-related ailments.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has already made it clear that the government has not decided on any extension.

He said that the government could consider additional holidays on the suggestions of the education department.

He expressed concern over the alarming increase in smog as Lahore and other cities topped the grim list of cities with poor air quality.

Read also: KP extends winter vacations for primary schools in summer zone