LAHORE: Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced that all educational institutions will reopen from April 1, and there will be no further extension of the holidays.
The Punjab Education Minister confirmed this through a post on X.
The government of Punjab earlier issued a notification closing all educational institutions from March 10 to March 31. The government took this step to reduce fuel consumption. It also aimed to ease the economic burden caused by the sharp rise in petroleum product prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The government of Punjab was considering different options regarding the energy crisis. These options include the extension of the holidays, as well as the reduction of the market hours. The Punjab government received different proposals from the Punjab Energy Department regarding the energy crisis. These proposals include the extension of the holidays till April 15. They also include the implementation of a hybrid system of learning. This system can help in saving electricity as well as fuel. The Punjab government also proposed the implementation of a coupon or a digital system of petrol and diesel. It also proposed the supply of these fuels on a specific day.
However, after reviewing the situation, the government has decided not to extend the holidays further. Now schools will reopen on April 1 as scheduled.
Parents and students were waiting for the announcement regarding the reopening of schools. Many schools had already issued notifications to their staff regarding the reopening of schools next week.
This decision comes at a time when global oil prices are showing some signs of relief. The news of de-escalation of the Iran conflict is coming out, although the prices remain unchanged in Pakistan.
