KP reduces in-person classes to four days a week due to oil crisis

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a reduction in in-person classes at all public and private educational institutions across the province to four days a week, effective immediately. This decision follows a directive from the provincial cabinet, as confirmed by official notifications issued on Tuesday by both the elementary and secondary education department and the higher education department.

According to the notifications, all schools, colleges, universities, and degree-awarding institutions in KP will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays for a period of two months. The move is a response to the ongoing regional situation that has affected petroleum supplies and prices, as well as concerns about the possible impact on the country's foreign exchange reserves.

The elementary and secondary education department's notification stated that both public and private educational institutions are required to observe Fridays and Saturdays as off days. The department further directed that, where possible, academic activities should continue online during these closure days.

Similarly, the secretary of the higher education department notified that all public and private sector universities, degree-awarding institutions, and colleges in the province would also observe closures on Fridays and Saturdays. The notifications emphasized the importance of minimizing in-person attendance to conserve fuel and manage the consequences of the petroleum crisis.

This temporary measure is set to last for two months, after which the situation will be reviewed. The provincial authorities have urged educational institutions to adapt to the new schedule and make necessary arrangements for online learning to ensure that students' education is not disrupted during this period.