ISLAMABAD, May 22: Although educational institutions of the federal capital have notified students that summer vacations would start from June 10, the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development (CAD) is considering two models for the summer vacations.
The rise in the mercury level in Islamabad, which is already over 41 Celsius, has become unbearable for residents, especially students.
Electricity loadshedding has further aggravated the problem, and with each passing day, attendance in educational institutions is becoming thinner, Dawn has learnt.
According to the notification of different schools available with Dawn, exams of the first term would commence on 24th or 27th May, and would end by 5th June.
The results would be handed over on 7th June (Friday) and the summer holidays would officially start from 10th June.
Students have been instructed to come along with their bags, as exams would be held in the first two periods and routine studies would continue thereafter.
An officer of CAD, on condition of anonymity, said that as per past practice summer vacations are declared for around 65 to 70 days.
CAD has been considering two models for the summer vacations due to which official notification regarding summer vacations could not be issued.
“The first model suggests vacations would start from June 10, and educational institutions would open on August 15. The Eidul Fitr would be on August 8 or 9, and students will be able to avail the Eid holidays during summer vacations,” he said.
“The second model is that early vacations would be announced (by 5th June) and schools would open on August 13 because educational institutions have to provide around 4,000 students for the 14th August celebrations,” he explained.
The CAD officer maintained that if holidays were announced till 14th August, parents would not send their students for the preparations, and the ministry would be in an awkward position in front of the newly formed government.
A teacher requesting not to be identified said, “Apart from the extreme heat and suffocation in the crowded class rooms, the long hours of loadshedding and unavailability of water has added to the miseries of the students.”
Another teacher said the junior students were hit the worst by the shortage of water, as they had to visit the toilet more often and the shortage created serious hygiene issues. There have also been reports of students fainting and blood sprouting from their nose.
“In the absence of electricity, we find it hard to breathe, what to talk of concentrating on the studies,” said Mohammed Osama, an eight grade student.
Joint Secretary CAD Rafique Tahir, while talking to Dawn, said, “I am aware of the condition of the students and have decided to call a meeting on Thursday to decide about the summer vacations.”