LAHORE: The Punjab government on Saturday announced extending winter vacation in all public and private educational institutions of the province till Jan 9.

Both school and higher education departments had issued the notifications of extension to winter vacation in all public and private schools, colleges and universities of the province.

The government had taken the decision in view of the prevailing cold weather.

School Education Minister Mansoor Qadir confirmed the extension to holidays. The higher education department (HED) has also notified the extension to winter vacation.

According to the notification, all colleges (public and private) shall re-open on Wednesday (Jan 10, 2024) resuming full/normal week for all classes. The BS four-year programmes, however, shall continue to function. Furthermore, all examinations shall be held as per the notified schedules of boards and universities.

Earlier, the provincial government had announced the winter vacation from Dec 18 to 31.

However, the students and their parents had also demanded to extend the vacation by one week due to the harsh weather coupled with dense fog in the morning, saying the month of January is likely to get even colder.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2023