Punjab schools to reopen Jan 19, no extension in winter vacations

LAHORE: Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has rejected speculations about further increase in winter vacations in educational institutions. This announcement has been made to end the confusion created after the closure of educational institutions due to severe cold.

According to details, Punjab Education Minister Sikandar Hayat clarified on the news of increase in vacations of educational institutions that all government and private schools in the province will reopen from January 19. The Education Minister said that the winter vacations started from December 20 and students were given a total of 30 days of vacation. So far, children have enjoyed 27 days of vacation and no further extension will be given. He said that the government, in collaboration with the Environment Department and PDMA, conducted a detailed review of weather forecasts and temperature data and keeping in mind the weather conditions of the coming week, it has been decided that schools will be opened.

Fog and cold air have slowed down daily life in Lahore. The wind speed was recorded at 2 kmph, while the city’s Air Quality Index was recorded at 186, showing the sixth highest pollution level globally. According to the Meteorological Department, medium to deep fog is predicted in major cities and haze in Potohar in the morning. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued a warning of heavy rain, snowfall and drop in temperature in the province. A westerly wind system is expected to enter from January 16 to 19. Rain and snowfall are expected in Murree, Galiat and other hilly areas from January 20 to 23, while rain is also predicted in most districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur.