Will winter vacations in Punjab be extended beyond Jan 12 owing to rising cold?

LAHORE: As cold weather intensifies across Punjab, rumors have been circulating regarding a possible extension of winter vacations, which are currently scheduled to end on January 12.

Speculation has been rife on social media, with many claiming that holidays will be increased due to the harsh weather.

However, responding to these reports, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat clarified that all schools and colleges across the province will reopen as scheduled on January 12.

The Minister categorically rejected any extension in the winter break, declaring the rumors “baseless and misleading.”

Minister Hayat urged the public to stop sharing and believing unverified reports, stating clearly that there has been no change to the academic calendar.

He instructed schools and colleges to prepare for the resumption of academic activities on time.

Meanwhile, Punjab continues to battle severe winter conditions. According to the latest meteorological forecast, very cold and dry weather will persist across the province.

Extremely low temperatures are expected in Murree, Galiyat, and surrounding hilly areas, where cloudy skies and light rain or snowfall may occur during the evening and night hours.

On the other hand, the Grand Alliance of Private School Associations Sindh (GAPSAS) has announced a province-wide shutter-down strike for schools and colleges on January 9 to protest actions taken by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) regarding free admission verification.

During a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club today, GAPSAS leaders expressed serious concerns and reservations over ongoing inspections.

However, they alleged that the department has since begun direct, intrusive inspections of schools.

The leaders argued that these actions violate the Sindh Private Educational Institutions (Regulation and Control) Act 2013, asserting that the Directorate of Private Institutions is the only legal regulatory authority.

They characterized the intervention by any other institution as both illegal and unnecessary.

The alliance further claimed that the investigative tactics are creating an atmosphere of fear, mental pressure, and restlessness.

They stated that the entry of armed personnel into educational institutions is entirely inappropriate for a learning environment.

Furthermore, they highlighted that parents are facing undue hardship due to repetitive questioning, despite having already provided complete data and undertakings to the relevant authorities.

Urging the Chief Minister of Sindh and the Education Minister to intervene, GAPSAS leaders called for an immediate end to direct ACD entries into schools.

Informing the media of their next steps, the alliance announced that new petition will be filed in the SHC to halt the ongoing verification process by the ACD.

Moreover they announced that Joint protest meetings involving school administrations and parents will be held across all districts of Sindh from January 6 to 8.

Whereas a “Black Day” will be observed on January 8. On the other hand, a complete shutter-down strike will take place, with all private schools and colleges across the province remaining closed on January 9j.