Punjab Plans for Winter Break, Balochistan Mum on Details
As winter sets in, several educational institutions across Pakistan have announced their winter vacation schedules, prioritizing student and staff safety and comfort. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has already announced its plan, while Balochistan's decision is awaited.
The Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has declared a 69-day winter vacation for educational institutions in winter zones, starting from December 22, 2024, to February 28, 2025. This decision was made due to harsh weather conditions in the region. Public and private schools and colleges in hilly and snowy areas will remain closed during this period. In contrast, institutions in summer zones will observe winter holidays from December 22 to December 31, 2024. This development echoes previous years' approaches, where the provincial governments have prioritized the well-being of students and staff amid severe weather conditions.
Similarly, Balochistan's education department has announced winter holidays for schools and colleges in the province. However, the provincial government is yet to specify the exact duration of the break for warmer areas. Schools in cold regions, including Quetta, will remain closed until February 28, 2025, while warmer areas will have a shorter winter break. The cold region winter break began earlier than the others, with students beginning their holidays on December 16, 2024. It is anticipated that the government may provide further details during the coming days regarding the vacation intervals in the rest of the province.
It is implied that the governments' goal is to ensure a conducive atmosphere for learning and maintain the safety of students and staff. Establishing clear guidelines, however, would make this mission more coherent and hindrances caused by overlapping announcements could be easily minimized, ultimately ensuring productive breaks for students
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces' steps reflect the federal government's policies on winter break that impart importance on student safety and academic progress. Even though certain aspects of the announcement seem abrupt, details such as dates for winter break will likely provide clarity to the provinces: hence promoting a smooth teaching schedule and reduce instances of disturbance throughout the student learning process.