Punjab govt bans winter camps in private schools during vacations

LAHORE: In a recent move, the Punjab’s Minister of School Education has issued an order prohibiting private schools from conducting winter camps this winter holiday(20 days).

The winter holiday will be observed from December 23 to January 12, 2025, with resumption on January 13. The order has come in response to a request out of the private schools’ concerns about holiday engagements to cover for the syllabus left unattended due to unplanned holiday days.

However, the Punjab Secretary for School Education Khalid Nazeer Wattoo had turned down the request, saying that winter vacations are so important for the overall mental health of the students.

It will be said by him that “these camps will take a lot away from unscrupulous rest and relaxation that every kid deserves, as he or she needs a respite from school pressures.” What it asked teachers was to conduct additional classes to cover the syllabus.

In this regard, a clear message has been delivered that any such violation on the part of private schools would invite stern legal action, which will be aimed at understandably explaining that the vacation for students must not be hampered in order to favor their mental health.