RAWALPINDI: Students and teachers have been perturbed as the government has abruptly decided to cancel the summer vacation in the schools, in order to organise month-long festivities to mark the Independence Day of Pakistan.

Earlier, the schools were scheduled to be re-opened on August 14.

However, a few days ago, the office of the executive district officer (EDO) sent a notification cancelling the summer vacation and directing all schools to re-open for two-hours and arrange various events in connection with the Independence Day celebrations.

Even though Monday was the first working day at the schools, only a few teachers and students turned up.

“We cannot understand why the government has cancelled our vacation. We celebrate the Independence Day every year, but this year we are being forced to attend the school ten days before the scheduled time,” said Raja Shahid Mubarik, the president of Punjab Teachers’ Union Rawalpindi.

He said that most of the teachers and students had gone to their native town for the holidays and it would be difficult for them to join the schools ten days earlier.

Talking to Dawn, EDO Qazi Zahoorul Haq said that the district government had to take this action following the announcement of the government to hold month-long independence celebrations.

Replying to a question regarding the thin attendance, he said that the department was not focusing on teaching; rather they were more concerned about the independence celebrations.

He, however, said that all teachers are bound to attend the schools.

“The students who will not take part in the events could be given a relaxation, but all the teachers have been directed to join the schools,” he said.

Published in Dawn, Aug 5th, 2014