The Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has extended the winter vacations for all educational institutions across the province for an additional week, following a rise in the severity of the cold wave. According to ARY News, the extension was confirmed through an official notification issued on Monday.
The decision to extend the break comes as the province continues to experience freezing temperatures, raising concerns over the health and safety of students who travel early in the morning in extreme cold conditions. As a result, educational institutions in the region will now reopen on January 7 instead of January 1.
Previously, the KP authorities had announced winter vacations from December 22 to December 31 for schools in plain areas. In contrast, schools in hilly regions were scheduled to remain closed until February 28.
In Punjab, the government has also declared a 20-day winter vacation for public and private schools, which will be closed from December 20, 2024, to January 10, 2025. This decision aligns with efforts to mitigate health risks caused by the ongoing smog.
Additionally, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued an order mandating that schools provide pick-and-drop services for children after the winter break.
This move aims to address concerns over the increasing smog levels, ensuring that students can safely commute to school. LHC Justice Shahid Karim emphasized the importance of using school transport for students to protect their health.
