Rumours of winter vacation extension circulating

LAHORE : With the winter vacation in both public and private schools drawing to a close and the weather growing increasingly harsh, there are rumors circulating about a possible extension of the winter break for schools in Punjab.

Despite the absence of an official decision or announcement from the School Education Department (SED) Punjab regarding an extension in the winter break, a notification issued by the Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department Punjab regarding the winter break for its non-formal educational institutions has sparked discussions.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department Punjab adheres to a distinct winter break schedule of its own. The Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department has now notified the winter vacations in all Non-Formal Education Institutions in Punjab from Jan 1, 2024 to Jan 10, 2024.

It is also worth noting that the annual winter break for schools in Punjab commenced on December 18, 2023 and is scheduled to conclude on January 1, 2024. However, as temperature drops and winter conditions intensify, there is a growing debate about the potential extension of the annual winter break.

Social media platforms are also abuzz with discussions about a potential extension of the winter break, although there has been no official confirmation of this possibility. Several individuals, including teachers, have shared the notification from the Literacy Department on social media, claiming that the department has extended its winter vacation. This dissemination of information has contributed to the current confusion surrounding the winter break.

According to sources within the SED Punjab, the ultimate decision regarding any extension will be made by the Punjab government rather than the SED Punjab. “If the government approves an extension of the winter break, the Schools Department will issue an official notification,” commented an official from the SED Punjab who preferred to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, talking to The News, Dr Khurram Shahzad, Director General of the Directorate General of Literacy & Non-Formal Basic Education, clarified that the department adheres to its own winter schedule. In contrast to the Schools Department, its winter break is scheduled to commence from January 1, 2024, he concluded.