LAHORE – Academic activities in Pakistan, especially at schools and college level, remain disrupted amid scores of additional holidays that affected the academic year, and it prompted the government to end Saturday off for young learners.
Several proposals are being considered to recover the loss, including ending two weekly offs in schools to compensate for the smog-affected academic year as air pollution worsened in recent times.
As per one option, schools in Punjab would shift to six-day school week to provide students with more instructional time as the academic year is shortened due to unexpected closures.
As of November 2024, schools are operating full four months (112 days) which is way behind global standard of 245 days. Several teachers, parents, students, are struggling to cover the syllabus and to conduct exams.
Punjab Smog Holidays
After weeks of closure, the government of Punjab announced reopening of schools in Lahore, Multan and other regions from November 20 amid respite from air quality. To ensure safety, schools will have revised timings, opening no earlier than 8:45 am, and both students and teachers must wear masks throughout the day.
In light of directives from EPA, outdoor activities will remain suspended as Environment Department urged schools to follow measures to mitigate the impact of smog.
Most schools in region were reopened, except those in Lahore and Multan, after improvements in air quality.
Punjab opens schools in Lahore, Multan on November 20 as smog subsides
