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The Punjab government has decided to partially reopen educational institutions after consultations with all stakeholders, Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed on Wednesday.
Higher Grades Resume Earlier
From August 18, classes will resume for grades 9 and 10, along with Intermediate, O Level, and A Level students in both public and private institutions.
However, students from grades 1 to 8 will continue their extended summer break until August 31, in line with earlier government directives.
Background: Heatwave and Extended Vacations
Punjab had initially extended summer vacations for all schools until August 31 due to the persistent heatwave across the province. The decision was aimed at ensuring the safety and health of students during extreme weather conditions.
Despite this, the move faced strong resistance from private schools, which argued that such an extended closure would disrupt the academic calendar, hinder exam preparation, and put unnecessary strain on both teachers and students.
Private Schools Push Back
The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association openly criticized the government’s earlier decision, calling it unnecessary and harmful to students’ education.
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They stressed that senior students—particularly those preparing for board and Cambridge exams—require uninterrupted academic schedules to meet syllabus completion and revision deadlines.
Balancing Safety and Academics
Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said the revised decision was taken after comprehensive discussions with stakeholders to strike a balance between student safety during the heatwave and the continuity of academic activities.
The partial reopening aims to give senior students adequate time to cover their syllabus while still protecting younger children from extreme weather exposure.
