Punjab govt likely to change schools academic calendars

LAHORE: Rana Sikandar Hayat has said that the Punjab government is looking at changes to the province’s academic calendar, like maybe a rethink of those long summer vacations in schools, kind of a big thing.

While talking about it, the provincial education minister said that extended summer holidays are hurting students’ studies, and he confirmed that discussions are already happening about possible changes in the schooling timetable.

He added that the government is considering a proposal where schools could reopen on alternate weeks after the summer break. According to Rana Sikandar Hayat, a revised academic calendar could also be drafted in consultation with private schools, though how exactly it will be worked out is still in progress.

The minister said the authorities are also preparing backup teaching plans for sudden or unexpected school closures, and they are reviewing how the Friday weekly holidays are affecting academic activities.

He further stated that schools should ideally complete at least 180 academic days in a year, while at present most institutions are working for about 140 days annually.

To cover this gap, the Punjab government is also considering allowing summer camps that last roughly 30 to 45 days.

Rana Sikandar Hayat concluded by saying that any final decision will be made after taking into account weather conditions across Punjab, especially those extreme temperatures in South Punjab, plus the infrastructure problems that government schools often face.