ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Private Schools and Management Association (APPSMA), with backing from parents, has announced plans to challenge the Punjab government’s decision to extend the summer holidays until August 31 in the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC). The announcement was made on Wednesday following the provincial education department’s decision to allow only Classes 9 and 10 to reopen on August 18.
Parents have expressed strong opposition to the move, criticizing the decision for being inadequate and highlighting the risks it poses to their children’s education. They argue that repeated and unannounced closures have jeopardized their children’s academic futures.
The APPSMA intends to file a writ petition, arguing that the extension of the summer break is unjustified. The petitioners point out that schools in other provinces, as well as federal educational institutions, have resumed academic activities, creating a disparity with the Punjab province. They claim that this situation amounts to discrimination against schools in Punjab and violates legal norms.
Additionally, the petition will argue that the Punjab government’s notification lacks a valid explanation for the extended break. According to Section 12 of the Punjab Private Educational Institutions Act, holidays may only be declared during emergencies like earthquakes or floods. The petition also asserts that education is a fundamental right of children and cannot be denied under any circumstances. The court has been asked to suspend the government’s notification and allow schools to resume teaching activities immediately.
