After schools, summer vacations of colleges also extended in Sindh

The Sindh Department of Education has announced an extension of college holidays until August 14 due to adverse weather conditions.

This decision follows an earlier extension of school holidays and is part of a broader response to extreme heat and the potential for heavy rainfall.

Under the direction of Provincial Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah, the Sindh College Education Department issued a notification extending the break, which was initially scheduled to end on 1 August.

Shah clarified that while schools will remain closed, activities related to Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14 and extracurricular events will continue as planned. The new academic year in Sindh is set to begin on August 15.

This extension means that both public and private educational institutions across the province, including Karachi, will now reopen on this date.

The official notification highlights extreme heat, the potential for a heatwave, and the ongoing monsoon season as the reasons for this extension. The decision also delays the start of the academic session for 2024/25 by 15 days.

Initially scheduled to commence on 15 April, the academic session was first postponed to 1 August by the interim government due to delays in textbook availability.

The current extension is believed to be linked to continued issues with textbook distribution, as the Directorate of Government Schools has yet to receive a distribution schedule from the Sindh Textbook Board.

This extension will impact private schools that follow alternative curriculums, such as Cambridge A-level and O-level programs, as well as public colleges, which were also slated to reopen on 1 August.

According to the Education Department's announcement, the extension is a precautionary measure in light of severe weather conditions.

Shah emphasised the necessity of this extension given the extreme heat and heavy rainfall forecasts, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.