Schools in Punjab will now reopen on January 19, the Punjab government has decided due to severely cold weather.
According to Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, winter vacations in both government and private schools have been extended by a week and schools will not reopen on January 12.
Shortly after a statement on his official X account, the minister told a private media outlet that the decision came after consulting the public through a survey on his social media accounts, where 83 percent votes supported the January 19 reopening while 17 percent people favoured January 12.
The minister said the extension was approved keeping in view the severity of the ongoing weather conditions and stressed that students’ health and well-being remained the top priority of the government.
Hayat said he has directed all chief executive officers (CEOs) of education departments to ensure strict implementation of the orders across their respective districts as uniform enforcement is essential to avoid confusion among parents, teachers and students.
Calling it a “health-focused decision”, the minister said public consultation helped shape a policy that directly benefits students.
He reiterated that the Punjab government will continue to prioritise education quality alongside student safety.
It may be noted that just a day earlier, Hayat had dismissed viral reports claiming an extension in winter vacations, confirming that institutions would reopen on January 12 as originally planned.