No concession: Summer vacations from June 4

Parents and students demanded that summer vacations be announced early

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), which oversees all educational institutions in the capital, announced on Friday that summer vacations for students at all public and private schools within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) will start from June 4, as per annual calendar issued by the directorate.

Speaking to APP on Friday, an FDE official said that it was not possible for FDE to announce holidays during May since educational activities in the capital have already suffered due to the ongoing renovation work at ICT schools under the Prime Minister Education Reforms Programme.

Announcing early summer vacations, as had been done in Sindh, would result in a loss to the student's education, the FDE official argued, adding that a strike by FDE’s daily-wage teachers for several months has also pushed back educational efforts in schools.



“The weather is not yet as hot as was expected,” the FDE official, adding that due to recent rain spells, the mercury in the capital has remained within a pleasant range. Hence, vacations will start in the first week of June.

However, with the holy month of Ramazan commencing this week, teachers, parents as well as students have demanded that the FDE announce summer vacations early.

The Punjab government has already announced the summer vacations from May 24 for schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the province, they argued.

The Punjab government decided to start summer vacations early because of  Ramazan in hot weather. Mothers have urged the FDE to announce summer vacations in Islamabad as well.

“Ramazan is a month of fasting. Continuing with school work will be an extra ordeal for many parents, teachers and even students who are fasting,” said Nadia. a mother of two schoolgoing children, Nasir and Adan.



“My son Nasir is a student of class VIII and he will be fasting. Adan is a grade-III student and will not be fasting. My heart goes out for my son. How will he manage [school work] during the Ramazan,” she said.

Malik Akram, a teacher, wondered why the FDE was not closing the schools for summer vacations early.

“Will one week make any difference [in education],” he asked, adding whether the FDE expects teachers to take their classes and deliver lectures for five days in the sizzling heat.  

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2018.