Punjab citizens demand additional winter holidays for schools

LAHORE: In the wake of the ongoing cold wave across Punjab, a number of citizens in the province are taking to social media to voice their demand for the extension of winter holidays for schools.

This comes in response to Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Mohsin Naqvi’s recent statement asserting that there are currently no plans to extend winter holidays for school or college students beyond the scheduled period.

Expressing concerns about the harsh weather conditions, a user on X (formerly Twitter) tagged CM Naqvi and relevant Punjab authorities in a recent post. The user stressed that the extreme cold makes it unsafe for school-going children to venture outside and urged the authorities to extend the winter holidays.

Sir, harsh weather has begun in Punjab, yet the winter vacations are coming to an end. It's too cold to go out, so how will the children manage to go to school? Sir, kindly consider extending the winter holidays.@MohsinnaqviC42 @MinisterInfoPb @CS_Punjab @GovtofPunjabPK https://t.co/5TpolOnpqB

— Safwan Khan (@SKM11th) January 6, 2024

The post highlighted the impending end of the holidays and the prevailing chilly weather, expressing genuine fears for the well-being of students.

As of Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 6:15 AM, no official update or notification regarding the extension of winter holidays has been issued.

Despite the growing demand of additional holidays on social media, the authorities have not yet signalled any change in the current plans for the academic calendar.

Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, in an earlier statement, clarified that the winter vacations are scheduled to last until January 9, 2024.

At present, there is no plan to announce additional holidays, and any decision to extend school holidays will be made solely on the recommendations of the Education Department.

The government’s stance, however, has faced opposition from multiple social media users who express concerns about the health and well-being of students, particularly children, during the severe cold weather prevailing across Punjab.

Critics argue that the risk of students falling ill due to exposure to the cold weather necessitates a reconsideration of the decision not to extend winter holidays.

The debate continues on social media platforms, with citizens, parents, and educators closely watching for any updates or official announcements from the Punjab government regarding the extension of winter holidays for schools.

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