All schools closed for two days

According to government orders, schools will open from November 28.

LAHORE: After clashes broke out throughout the province on Friday, the Punjab government on Sunday decided to close down all public and private schools in the province.

The announcement came from Punjab School Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed, who confirmed the development to The Express Tribune.

The decision has been taken because of the law and order situation in the province and possible protests in the coming days, he said. Schools will remain closed on Monday, November 27 and Tuesday, November 28. All schools have been ordered to open from Wednesday, November 29.



Punjab School Education Department (SED) Secretary Dr Allah Baksh Malik said that the decision was taken because of the prevalent law and order situation. He said that the department had received the directions from the provincial government and a notification had been issued in this regard.

The SED had also issued instructions to its officials notifying them of the orders. The District Education Authorities (DEAs) Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) have also issued orders to the relevant officials which said, “The Competent Authority has announced two days (November 27 and 28.2017) closure of all public and private schools. All field officers and head teachers are requested to inform parents to not send students to schools during these two days. All schools (public and private) will remain closed.”



Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani while announcing the closure of colleges and universities said that the decision was taken due to the ensuing law and order situation in the country. He said that the government wanted to ensure the safety of students and teachers and instructed that all public and private institutions implement the orders.

The Punjab Board Committee of Chairmen has decided to postpone the practical examinations of Intermediate Supplementary Examinations 2017 in all boards of intermediate all over Punjab due on November 27 and 28. A statement said that new dates for the practical examination due on Monday and Tuesday would be announced later.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2017.