LAHORE: The Punjab government has declared a 22-day winter break for schools across the province, effective from December 20, 2024, to January 10, 2025. This announcement applies to both public and private educational institutions, as confirmed by a notification issued by the School Education Department. Schools will resume on January 13, 2025, following the weekend break on January 11 and 12.
Additionally, the notification emphasized that the requirement for students to wear face masks within school premises remains in place. This decision coincides with a ruling from the Lahore High Court (LHC), which mandated that schools provide pick-and-drop services for students after the winter break. The court’s order aims to mitigate the risks associated with rising smog levels in the region.
The LHC’s directive, issued by Justice Shahid Karim, further stipulated that schools failing to arrange transport for students would face potential closure. It also clarified that schools should not issue disclaimers to avoid liability for student transportation.
In contrast, the Sindh government has announced shorter winter holidays, lasting 11 days, for educational institutions in the province, including Karachi. The holidays will run from December 21 to December 31, 2024, with classes set to resume on January 1, 2025. This decision aligns with the recommendations of the Education Department’s Steering Committee.