The Punjab government has decided to partially reopen educational institutions from August 18 after consultations with stakeholders, Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed on Wednesday. Under the revised plan, students of grades 9 and 10, along with Intermediate, O Level, and A Level classes, will resume studies in both public and private schools. Meanwhile, classes for grades 1 to 8 will remain suspended until August 31.
The move comes after the government had earlier extended summer vacations for all schools due to the severe heatwave sweeping across the province. However, the decision faced resistance from private school operators, who argued that prolonged closures would disrupt academic schedules and impact exam preparations.
The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association strongly criticized the initial blanket extension, terming it unnecessary and harmful to students’ learning continuity. They stressed that controlled reopening for higher classes was both feasible and essential.
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While the government’s revised decision appears to be a compromise between public health concerns and academic needs, it raises questions about the province’s preparedness to ensure safe learning conditions during extreme weather. Striking the right balance between protecting students from the heat and maintaining educational momentum remains a pressing challenge.