Winter vacation: Islamabad schools resume; Punjab remains undecided

ISLAMABAD: After three weeks of winter vacation, all schools in the capital city resumed on Monday with revised winter schedules.

While Punjab is undecided on reopening schools due to widespread fog, pollution, and cold weather.

Earlier on Sunday, a bogus notice extending winter holidays in the federal capital until January 16 was circulating, confusing parents, students, and teachers.

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, on the other hand, stated on Sunday that all educational institutions in Islamabad Capital Territory will reopen on Monday (January 8) following the holiday vacation.

The ministry firmly denied “fake news” that winter vacation for schools in the federal capital had been extended until January 15 owing to adverse weather conditions.

It is worth noting that the ministry said last month that schools and institutions within its jurisdiction will be closed from December 24-31.

However, due to the inclement weather, the authorities in charge prolonged the winter vacation to January 7.

All educational institutions under the jurisdiction of the Federal Directorate of Education resumed on Monday with winter hours of 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The schools in Punjab are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, following extended winter vacations.

Citizens in Punjab, meanwhile, have petitioned the Punjab government to extend school winter vacations due to dense fog and a severe cold wave.

Read More: Winter vacations extended till Jan 9

Due to the inclement weather, parents are requesting another extension to protect their children from weather-related illnesses.

Read More: Winter vacations extended in AJK till Jan 15

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has already stated that the government has made no decision to extend the deadline.

He stated that the government might consider more vacations based on the education department’s recommendations.

He voiced concern over the worrisome rise in smog, which has pushed Lahore and other cities to the top of the list of cities with poor air quality.