Winter vacations in schools start next week

ISLAMABAD: The much-awaited winter vacations in schools are set to start from next week across the country, much to the excitement of the students. All provinces including Punjab have issued notifications of winter vacations.

ISLAMABAD

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), responsible for schools and colleges in Islamabad, is expected to announce its winter vacation schedule soon.

Traditionally, schools in the capital are granted a one-week break during extreme cold weather. This year, it is anticipated that winter vacations will be observed from December 22 to December 29, with schools reopening on December 30, 2024.

However, there is a possibility that holidays may be extended until December 31, with classes resuming on January 1, 2025.

The private schools in Islamabad have also announced the closures of schools from December 20 till January 6, 2025.

PUNJAB

The Punjab Education Department announced that winter vacations would take place from December 23, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Students would rejoin classes on January 13, as per the revised notification.

Previously, the provincial government had announced winter holidays from December 20, 2024.

But due to provincial education minister suggestion to revise the winter vacation schedule due to the prolonged winter season, the holiday dates have been adjusted.

This ended the uncertainty surrounding parents, teachers, and school administrators, as they have been awaiting a formal notification to confirm the final decision.

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has announced the official winter vacation schedule for schools across the province.

In plain areas of KP, schools will remain closed from December 22 to December 31, 2024. However, schools in mountainous regions will observe extended holidays due to severe weather conditions, starting from December 22, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

BALOCHISTAN

The Balochistan government has also announced winter breaks for educational institutions in the province. According to the notification, schools in cold regions will remain closed from December 16 to February 28, reopening on March 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, schools in warm regions will observe vacations from January 1 to January 10, 2025.

Similarly, Bolan Medical College (BMC) in Quetta has also declared winter vacations. The college will be closed for teaching purposes from Monday until February 28, 2025

SINDH

The Sindh government has also finalized its winter vacation schedule. Schools across the province will remain closed from Sunday, December 22, to Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Educational institutions will reopen on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. This decision was approved by the Sindh Education Department’s steering committee.

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