Three-month school holidays challenged in LHC

Petitioner seeks reduction of summer vacations to six to eight weeks

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Punjab government and other respondents on a petition challenging the decision to grant three months of summer vacations in educational institutions across the province.

Justice Khalid Ishaq heard the petition filed by the All Pakistan Private Schools Association and sought replies from the respondents, including the Government of Punjab and the School Education Department. The court later adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.

According to the petition, the Punjab government had issued a notification ordering the closure of schools for three months during the summer season, a move the petitioner argued would negatively affect students' education and academic activities.

The petitioner's counsel contended before the court that the academic year in Pakistan had already been reduced to nearly 120 days, significantly lower than many developed countries.

The petition stated that countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom maintain academic calendars extending up to 230 days annually, enabling students to receive more effective and continuous education.

The counsel argued that prolonged closure of educational institutions would further damage learning standards and educational progress in the province.

The petition further maintained that no society could achieve progress and development without strengthening its education system.

The petitioner requested the court to declare the notification regarding the three-month summer vacation as unlawful and set it aside.

The plea also urged the court to direct the relevant authorities to limit summer vacations to six to eight weeks instead of the extended closure period currently announced by the government.