The caretaker government of Punjab has reversed its decision to keep schools open for the entire week, including the weekend. This announcement came shortly after a notification had been issued stating that schools would operate six days a week.
The reversal was decided upon during a Cabinet Committee on Anti-Smog meeting, which was chaired by the caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The committee concluded that all schools across Punjab would remain closed tomorrow, despite the previous notification. This decision aligns with the lifting of restrictions following a notable improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the region.
This change comes on the heels of the provincial government’s announcement regarding the schedule for winter vacations for educational institutes. As per the statement by CM Mohsin Naqvi, the winter break is set to begin on December 18 and will extend until January 1.
Additionally, the province of Sindh has also declared its winter vacation period start from December 22 to December 31.
The initial notification from the Punjab School Education Department had indicated that schools would be open Monday through Saturday. However, the latest decision by the caretaker government overrides this, leading to a closure of schools tomorrow.
This sudden policy reversal has caused confusion among students, parents, and educational institutions, as they had been preparing for the previously announced extended school week.
The caretaker government’s decision to close schools, while markets and restaurants remain open, suggests a targeted approach to managing public spaces in light of environmental concerns.
