Private Schools challenge Punjab’s extended summer break in court

LAHORE: Students in Lahore, Rawalpindi and parts of Punjab are enjoying the summer vacation, but not everyone is happy with the break as the All Pakistan Private Schools and Management Association (APPSMA) has slammed the Punjab government for extending the summer vacation by two more weeks.

Citing the academic losses of students and limited days to cover the curriculum, private schools have announced to take the matter to the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court.

All government and private schools have been closed till August 31 under a controversial decision issued by the provincial education department, with only students of classes 9 and 10 allowed to attend. Parents and school owners are outraged, calling the move “inadequate, unfair and destructive to education”.

The schools’ management argues that the prolonged closure jeopardizes the educational progress of children, especially when schools in other provinces and federal entities remain open. Schools in the capital are open with physical classes being organised, while Punjab-run schools remain closed, fuelling allegations of discrimination and legal overreach.

The Punjab government recently opened schools for classes 9 and 10, while juniors will join them from September 1.

APPSMA is urging the court to intervene immediately, demanding that all schools reopen without any delay. Now that the matter has gone to court, parents, teachers and students alike are watching..