LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday ordered the administrations of all private and public schools to keep their institutions open today (Wednesday) across the province to mark Youm-i-Takbeer and organise special events to celebrate the anniversary of successful nuclear tests conducted by the country in 1998.

However, Punjab school education minister later said only “some of the schools” will hold events in connection with Youm-i-Takbeer.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had last year declared a public holiday on May 28 throughout the country on account of Youm-i-Takbeer.

Earlier, the Punjab government had announced the closure of all educational institutions on May 28 for summer vacation.

The School Education Department (SED) on Tuesday issued a letter to all district education authorities, saying “Educational institutions will remain open and hold special programmes to celebrate the day [Youm-i-Takbeer] with a positive social message for peace and courage”.

The letter adds that May 28 is a “significant day that marks a milestone in our nation’s history, symbolising strength, resilience, and technological advancement.”

It says all schools will conduct activities, including morning assembly, special programmes, recitation of national anthem and offer prayers, besides paying tributes to the Pakistan Army.

All schools will hold speech competitions on the topics of Significance of Youm-i-Takbeer, Pakistan’s Journey to Becoming a Nuclear Power, and National Security and Patriotism.

The public schools across the province will also organise arts and poster contests, as well as national songs competitions at district level. The winners in each category at the district level contests will be awarded a prize of Rs50,000 each.

The department’s letter says, “The students and staff will make a pledge to work for the betterment, peace, and scientific progress of Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat says that the summer vacation in schools have not been cancelled in the province.

He says that the schools “will not open” on May 28 (today), but ceremonies to celebrate Youm-i-Takbeer are being organised in “some schools of the province”. He says the students will have to be there for just one and a half hour for morning assembly -- from 7am to 8:30am -- to participate in debates in connection with the day.

He says that the CEOs of District Education authorities (DEAs) of the province approached him seeking permission to hold Youm-i-Takbeer ceremonies in some schools in the districts so that the students could know how the country become the only nuclear power in the Muslim world. The students will also hold speeches, narrating “how Indian Prime Minister Narrendara Modi stepped back from extending war” two weeks ago and the Pakistan Army replied soundly, the minister says.He says the department has announced cash prizes and commendatory certificates for the students participating in the debates on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2025