Schoolkids spared early morning chills
As the schools in Punjab are set to reopen after three-week winter vacations, the provincial government has revised the timings of the educational institutions in view of the prevailing severe cold weather.
According to the new schedule, schools across Punjab will open at 9:30am.
The boys’ schools will close as 2:30pm and girls 2:15pm.
The schools will reopen on Wednesday after extended winter vacations. The government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had also delayed the opening time of the schools because of the harsh weather conditions.
However, according to sources in the Punjab Schools Education Department, the announced opening time is final, but discussions in connection with the closing time of 2:30pm were still under way.
Before the winter vacations, the school timings in the province were 8:30am to 2:15pm.
However, the timing has been revised because of the persisting cold weather and sense fog blanketing vast areas.
However, a representative of a teachers’ union expressed concern over the long school timings proposed for young schoolchildren.
"The harsh winter is badly affecting the people and children as young as four years of age will be forced to stay in schools for a long time.
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“There are no facilities of heater in the schools and the children will suffer,” said Punjab Teachers Union Secretary General Rana Liaqat Ali while commenting on the department’s decision.
He suggested that the provincial government should not reopen the schools at this time tor the early grades because the weather was dangerous for them.
He agreed with the timing for students of classes higher than the primary level.
The teacher said the plight and risk to the young children should be paid special attention by the authorities concerned.
According to officials, the new timetable of the schools will be implemented from January 10 to 22 and the timings would likely be revised afterwards.
Cold wave alert
In view of a severe cold wave, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert and instructed the deputy commissioners across the province to launch a campaign on precautionary measures.
In a letter issued by the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority to all DCs, Director Nazia Jabeen said carelessness in cold, fog and snow could be dangerous.
“Citizens should be informed about safety measures. Awareness should be created about the use
of heaters and dangerous gases,” she added.
All necessary instructions should be provided to tourists and district administrations should conduct vigorous campaigns at the local level, giving necessary information to people through all communication tools, she added.
with additional input from app
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2024.