RAWALPINDI: All public and private educational institutions in the garrison city opened on Monday after almost a month-long winter vacation, which started across the province from December 22 and were to open by January 12 but the provincial government extended the vacation till January 18.

The winter vacation in public and private schools turned out blessing in disguise for the administration of Rawalpindi as the mega development work launched to expand Kutchery Chowk and other roads in the garrison city.

However, soon after the opening of the schools, the traffic remained stuck on the main roads. in the morning and afternoon. On the other hand, District Education Authority issued guidelines for the public schools to ensure the quality of education and to observe the timings.

In a letter to the school administration, District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Tariq Mehmood said that all district education officers are directed to follow the guidelines in their wings on daily basis.

He said that ensure maximum genuine enrollment. Set clear targets at school and teacher level and achieve them through effective planning and monitoring. Ensure maximum and genuine student attendance. Teachers and students must

ensure punctuality, responsibility, proper dress code, discipline, and an improved classroom and school outlook,” he said.

For Academic Monitoring, he said that lesson plans, diaries, and notebooks must be properly maintained. Head Teachers must regularly check homework and notebooks.

Conduct classroom observations, provide constructive feedback, work as a team, and improve teaching quality. Head Teachers should act as facilitators and problem solvers, he said.

He said that their was zero tolerance policy on corporal punishment. Teachers must adopt positive and effective teaching practices.

Ensure overall school cleanliness and an attractive environment.

Maintain clean washrooms and ensure the availability of safe drinking water, he said.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2026