LAHORE — Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has responded to reports claiming that a proposal being considered to keep the schools closed for three days a week as part of fuel saving measures amid Middle East tension.
In an interview, the education minister opposed the proposal and also clarified that he had not so far received anything in this regard.
He, however, argued that shutting schools on Fridays would not result in significant fuel savings.
He also urged the federal government to exempt the education sector from such restrictions and allow schools to operate according to their regular schedules.
The provincial minister said closing schools on Fridays would not substantially reduce diesel or other operating costs. He pointed out that around 90 percent of students at government schools travel to school on foot.
Hayat said a similar situation exists in the private education sector, where around 90 percent of students also walk to school. He therefore argued that closing schools would not achieve the intended objective of saving fuel.
Hayat stressed that the education sector should be given an exemption and schools should continue operating on all scheduled teaching days.
