Punjab education minister confirms winter vacations extension
LAHORE: Punjab education minister confirms winter vacations extension as the provincial government moves to address growing concerns over children’s health amid intensifying cold weather. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on Saturday said that winter vacations in schools across the province would be extended, citing persistent low temperatures and repeated demands from parents and teachers.
Rana Sikandar Hayat said the decision was taken with the health and safety of students as the top priority. He said the cold wave gripping Punjab had made it difficult for children to attend school safely, prompting the government to consider extending the winter break.
“I want to inform you in advance that we are going to extend the winter vacations,” the education minister said, adding that parents had formally approached the authorities, urging them to prolong the holidays due to harsh weather conditions. However, he did not specify the number of days by which the vacations would be extended.
Rana Sikandar Hayat said an official meeting was scheduled for 3:00 pm to review updated reports from the Pakistan Meteorological Department. He said that following the meeting, a formal notification detailing the extension and its duration would be issued for schools across Punjab.
The education minister had convened the meeting to assess the situation as temperatures continued to drop in various districts of the province. He said that weather trends and expert recommendations would be carefully reviewed before finalising the decision.
Reports circulating on social media had earlier suggested that winter vacations in educational institutions might be extended by up to one week. However, officials said the final announcement would be made only after the completion of the scheduled review meeting.
As cold conditions persist, parents and teachers across Punjab have repeatedly called on the provincial government to ensure the well-being of children by keeping schools closed during extreme weather. Rana Sikandar Hayat reiterated that safeguarding students’ health remains the government’s foremost concern.
Winter holidays were officially set to conclude this week, but authorities said the final decision regarding the extension would be communicated through an official notification later today.
