Punjab education minister shares update on early winter vacations, three-day weekend

LAHORE – Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas has hinted at the early closure of schools amid the worsening smog situation in the country’s most populated region.

Lahore, the city of gardens, was recently declared the most polluted city in the world while residents complain of shortness of breath, stinging eyes, and nausea from thick, acrid pollution.

Amid the worsening air quality, Education Minister cleared the air, saying they cannot shut down schools on urgent basis as many institutions are conducting mid-term papers.

Raas also ruled out the possibility of a three-day holiday in a week, saying they will rather direct students to wear face masks akin to the Covid pandemic situation.

On Friday, the Lahore High Court ordered to close educational institutions in the provincial capital for two days as the air quality index in the metropolis was ranked above 300, which is hazardous.

The winter vacations schedule was earlier announced for state-run and private educational institutions in the province. Educational institutions in 24 districts of the country’s most populous region will be closed from 23 December 2022 to 6 January 2023 and from 3 to 13 January, respectively.

Schools and colleges will be closed for two weeks from December 23, 2022, to January 06, 2023, in Lahore, Sahiwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Pakpattan, Sheikupura, Okara, Vehari, Khanewal, Khushab, Hafizabad, Multan, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib, and Jhang.

In Rajanpur, Jhelum, Mianwali, Attock, Muzaffargarh, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan, DG Khan, and Chiniot, the winter vacations will start from January 3rd for two weeks.

Top court in Punjab orders closures of schools for three days a week as smog returns