Private Schools Demand Immediate Reopening

The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) has urged private schools in Rawalpindi Division to reopen, contending that the ongoing closures have disrupted students' education unnecessarily. The organization has requested the Rawalpindi Division commissioner and deputy commissioners to utilize their authority under Section 12-D of the Punjab Private Educational Institutions Act to permit private schools to resume classes.

APPSMA officials pointed out that federal schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have already restarted academic activities, while schools under the Punjab government remain closed, creating an unfair situation for students in the same cities. The association also expressed concerns about the limited number of holidays in Punjab schools, noting that students had only approximately 120 instructional days during the previous academic year and could experience further learning loss if the present closures persist.

APPSMA argued that authorities should compensate for lost classroom time by adding teaching days instead of extending the holidays. The organization also questioned the uniform approach to school closures across the province, stating that weather conditions in Rawalpindi differ significantly from those in southern Punjab. APPSMA urged authorities to take local conditions into account when determining whether schools should remain closed.

The association further advocated for schools to reopen before August 14, asserting that educational institutions can play a pivotal role in instilling patriotism and national unity among students.