Punjab govt cites ‘prevailing security situation’ as reason behind unexpected, last minute decision
District administrations issue notifications

RAWALPINDI: Public and private schools and colleges in Islamabad and Punjab will remain closed on Monday (today) due to “prevailing security situation”. Notifications in this regard were issued by the district administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as well as the Punjab government’s School Education Department.

The notifications issued by district administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi did not mention the reason behind the holiday but that of the Punjab government’s School Education Department, which was issued later, cited “prevailing security situation” for the closure of educational institutions throughout the province.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema declared holiday in all public and private schools and colleges in Rawalpindi district on Monday and so did his counterpart in the capital, Irfan Nawaz Memon.

Without mentioning any reason, Mr Memon stated: “It is notified that all the public/private schools and colleges shall remain closed on 16th December, 2024 (Monday) within the revenue limits of Islamabad Capital Territory.”

According to the notification issued by the secretary of the School Education Department of the Punjab government, “In view of the prevailing security situation in the province, it has been decided that all public and private schools in Punjab will remain closed on 16th December, 2024 (Monday). However, all offices will remain open and perform their functions as usual.”

District Education Authority Rawalpindi Amanullah Khan said that they had received the holiday notification and forwarded it to government and private schools to implement. “We are not aware of the reason for the holiday,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, President All Pakistan Private School Management Association North Punjab and Islamabad Chapter and Member District Registration Authority, Rawalpindi, Abrar Ahmad Khan told Dawn that they had been asked to convey the message to schools and colleges of Rawalpindi about the holiday.

He said during the meeting, the additional deputy commissioner (general) Rawalpindi said all private schools, colleges and academies will remain closed on Monday, December 16, 2024 due to Punjab government’s orders on account of law and order situation and imminent threats.

On the other hand, parents expressed their concerns over the closure of schools, saying that students had been unable to complete their syllabus due to frequent holidays in the last two months.

“From November 24 to November 26, all schools remained closed, and now they are being closed on December 16 at a time when students are appearing in December examination,” said Mohammad Riaz, father of a student of grade 9.

Mohammad Afzal, whose son is in grade 8, said children were enjoying the holidays but the parents were worried about their studies.

He said the school administrations had asked parents to make ensure that students completed their syllabus at home.

“We had to arrange coaching classes for the children so they learn from qualified teachers. We are wasting money in private colleges as they have closed so many times,” said Ms Ahmed Nadeem, mother of a student of 11th grade.

She said teachers simply forwarded homework to students, who were left with no choice but to take tuitions.

Principal Siddeeq Public School and College, Rawalpindi Boys Campus, Sheharyar Anwar said too many holidays had made it difficult for schoolteachers to complete the syllabus.

“We conducted classes for a few months only due to long holidays, which affected quality of education,” he added.

Mr Anwar said the provincial government had also announced winter vacations from next week, which would further complicate the situation.

On the other hand, All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association Dr Malik Abrar said frequent closure of educational institutions should stop.

“Protests, cold, heat and smog holidays are destroying the future of students and are giving rise to school dropouts,” he said.

Dr Abrar said December was a crucial month for students of grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 as they were completing their syllabus, but without teachers, it would be difficult for them to complete the studies and do revision.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024