Private schools across Pakistan have appealed to the government to reconsider the recently announced summer vacation schedule, warning that extended holidays could further increase academic losses for students.
Vice President of Private School Solutions of Pakistan, Muhammad Khawar Naseem Batalvi, said the country’s education system is already facing serious disruption, and students are suffering due to continuous gaps in classroom learning. He urged authorities to limit summer vacations from June 15 to August 1 instead of allowing a longer break.
According to Batalvi, a significant part of the academic session has already been wasted. Schools remained fully closed during March, while only limited teaching activities took place in April. He said students have not been able to receive regular lessons, causing concern among parents, teachers, and school administrations.
He particularly highlighted the condition of matriculation classes, stating that formal studies for many students have not properly started yet. In some cases, students reportedly attended only two days of regular classes, which he described as highly damaging for educational standards and syllabus completion.
Private school representatives have also requested the government to allow schools to organize summer camps during the holidays. They believe these camps can help recover lost academic time and ensure students continue learning despite the break. Officials say such measures are necessary to complete the academic syllabus on time and reduce the educational gap created over recent months.
Meanwhile, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has already announced summer vacations for schools across Punjab due to the ongoing heatwave. According to the official schedule, holidays will begin on May 22 and continue until August 23, while schools are expected to reopen on August 24.
The decision was taken following advisories issued by the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), which recommended precautionary measures for schools amid rising temperatures. Authorities advised schools to adjust timings, avoid outdoor activities, ensure clean drinking water availability, and maintain proper cooling and ventilation systems for students’ safety.
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