ISLAMABAD: Following criticism from private schools regarding extended summer vacations, the Punjab government has hinted at revising the academic calendar.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, while speaking to SAMAA TV, agreed with the stance of private schools, stating that long summer breaks significantly disrupt students’ education.
To address this, the government is considering a proposal to reopen schools on an alternating weekly basis after the summer holidays, and a new academic calendar will be designed in close consultation with private schools.
An alternative plan will also be formulated to effectively handle sudden, unscheduled holidays.
The minister noted that the recent practice of keeping schools closed on Fridays has already contributed to substantial educational losses.
He highlighted that schools should ideally remain functional for at least 180 days a year, but educational institutions in the province currently operate for only 140 days.
To help bridge this gap and keep students academically engaged, the government is considering allowing 30 to 45-day summer camps.
However, the minister emphasized that any final decision regarding holidays must account for the entire province.
While private schools often have air conditioning facilities, the situation in public schools, especially amid the intense summer heat of South Punjab is starkly different, meaning a balanced and inclusive policy will be required.
