Schools reopen after 21-day hiatus

All public and private schools across the Rawalpindi Division have reopened after an extended 21-day break, restoring activity to previously subdued educational institutions.

On Wednesday, government schools announced the pending annual examination results for classes from early years (pre-primary) to Grade 7. All pupils were declared successful and promoted to the next classes.

Admissions in public schools have also commenced, albeit with a delay of one month this year, raising concerns that enrolment targets may not be achieved.

In contrast, private schools began their admission process in February and have largely completed new enrolments, while public institutions are expected to record significantly lower intake.

Students who passed have been instructed to return textbooks from their previous classes. Authorities have directed that all pupils submit these books today (Thursday), after which they will be issued materials for the new academic year.

Owing to the prevailing economic constraints, recycled textbooks will be redistributed among students.

The announcement of results saw pupils arriving at schools with their parents, many dressed for the occasion. While some institutions awarded first, second, and third position prizes, most limited proceedings to a general declaration of "all pass" and promoted students without formal ceremonies, reflecting the incomplete nature of the examinations.

This year, however, Grade 8 board examinations were conducted, though their results remain pending and are expected between April 8 and 10.

Only four subjects—Urdu, English, Mathematics, and Science—were examined by the board, with the remaining papers conducted in a limited capacity by individual schools.

Marking for the board examinations is reportedly stringent, with a high failure rate anticipated.

According to sources within the Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTA), a substantial proportion of candidates are likely to fail.

Teachers' organisations have warned that excessive strictness in marking could lead to increased dropout rates, particularly among middle-grade students. They cautioned that 60 to 70 per cent of girls declared unsuccessful at this level may discontinue their education.

Rana Liaquat, Central Secretary General of the Punjab Teachers Union, criticised the reintroduction of the Grade 8 board examination, describing it as a flawed policy previously abandoned after failing on two occasions.

He noted that the current system applies only to public school students, with the private sector excluded, effectively turning government institutions into a testing ground. Negative repercussions, he said, are already emerging. He further highlighted that out of 38,000 public schools in Punjab, approximately 125,000 teaching posts remain vacant, with no regular recruitment since 2018. Around 14,000 schools have already been privatised, with a further 4,500 reportedly in the process of being transferred to the private sector.