Holiday confusion: Govt schools to remain open

Most private schools to stay closed, matric exams postponed

ISLAMABAD: Despite confusion surrounding a government notification on whether there is a public holiday today – Iqbal Day, all government schools will stay open, in line with a previous announcement.

Mant private schools, however, have opted to remain closed today.

Confusion surrounded schools and colleges about the holiday as the government had previously cancelled it, while fake letters kept circulating on social media claiming that the holiday had been restored.



The interior ministry has since refuted those claims and clarified that there is no official holiday and all government offices and schools will remain open.

Due to the confusion, matriculation examinations scheduled for Wednesday in the city were postponed. A teacher said that students had been informed later that there was no holiday.

Education department officials believed that the holiday would be restored, but such rumors kept making rounds in schools and colleges, the teacher added.

But on Tuesday evening, Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) officials cleared the confusion following orders from the interior ministry.



However, representatives of some private schools said the government decision came too late for them to implement as they had already informed students, parents and transport staff four days ago about the holiday.

Private Schools Network President Dr Afzal Babar said they have announced the holiday four days ago.

But Zofran Elahi from Private Schools Association Islamabad, which represents a few high-end private schools in the city, said they will follow the government’s decision.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2016.