States Announce Winter Holidays for Schools and Colleges

In a bid to gear up for the declining temperatures, several states across the country have announced winter holidays for schools and colleges. The decision aims to ensure that students and staff are well-rested and prepared for the challenging winter months ahead.

Among the states that have declared winter holidays are Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Balochistan. The School Education Department of these states has taken a uniform approach to determine the duration of the break, with colder regions receiving a longer holiday period. In Balochistan, schools and colleges in colder regions will remain closed from December 16, 2024, to February 28, 2025, while those in warmer regions will have a shorter break from December 22 to December 31, 2024.

In Punjab, a 7-day winter break has been declared for schools from December 24, 2024, to January 1, 2025. Similarly, the Punjab Education Department has relaxed the winter school uniform policy, allowing students to wear jackets, sweaters, coats, socks, and shoes in any color until February 28, 2025. This policy change aims to help students stay warm during the cold winter months.

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have also announced winter holidays, with Madhya Pradesh declaring a 4-day holiday from December 31, 2024, to January 4, 2025, for all government and private schools, while excluding January 6, which is a Sunday. Chhattisgarh has declared a 6-day winter holiday from December 23 to 28, 2024, for government schools, and a 4-day holiday from December 26 to 28, 2024, for other colleges.

This year's winter holidays have caused some disruptions to the timelines of schools in Balochistan, particularly those in Prayagraj, which will remain closed on December 13, 2024, due to Prime Minister Modi's visit, and will have changed school timings in several districts of Madhya Pradesh. Despite these challenges, the decision to declare winter holidays is expected to benefit students and staff by providing them with a well-deserved break and allowing them to prepare for the challenges of the winter months ahead.