Floods force Punjab schools to close again

LAHORE: Ongoing floods have forced the closure of government schools across several districts of Punjab, disrupting education for thousands of children.

According to officials, schools in 111 flood-affected villages of Pindi Bhattian will remain closed until September 12.

The Chief Executive Education said holidays in the affected institutions have been extended due to floodwater.

In Sialkot, Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali confirmed that 80 government schools will remain closed until September 10 due to standing floodwater.

Kot Momin schools shut as Punjab mulls holiday extension amid floods

She said several schools in Sialkot, Daska, Pasrur, and Sambrial tehsils are included in the list of affected institutions.

Punjab’s School Education Secretary Khalid Nazir Wattoo stated that 2,925 government schools across the province are closed due to the disaster.

Of these, 1,151 schools have been fully damaged, 817 partially damaged, while 45 have been completely destroyed. More than 1,700 schools have been converted into flood relief camps, halting regular classes.

Data shows that 1,505 girls’ schools and 1,420 boys’ schools remain shut, affecting the education of over 680,000 students. The highest number of closures has been reported in Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Multan divisions.

Officials said schools have been closed as a safety measure since many premises are inundated with water. Parents and students have been urged to cooperate, stressing that the safety of children is the top priority.

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