Punjab allows school summer camps under strict conditions

LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department has allowed government and private schools across the province to hold summer camps from June 1 to June 30, subject to a set of mandatory conditions and operating restrictions.

According to a circular issued by the department, the camps may be organised by schools of all sizes, but authorities have warned that any breach of the prescribed rules will trigger immediate closure and sealing of the institution concerned, along with legal action against those held responsible.

Operating schedule and student participation

The department has directed that summer camps can run only from Monday to Thursday. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will remain off days. Camp hours have been fixed from 7am to 10am.

Students from all grades will be allowed to attend, but participation will not be compulsory. The circular says no student can be forced to join a camp, and attendance will only be permitted with the consent of parents.

Fee restrictions and enforcement

Under the new instructions, schools are barred from collecting two or three months of summer tuition in advance from students. Private schools have also been forbidden from charging any extra amount in the name of summer camps.

The department has further stated that if any complaint is received about the collection of additional fees, the relevant summer camp will be suspended immediately and the school will be sealed. Government schools and teachers have separately been prohibited from taking any tuition or coaching charges from students attending the camps.

Indoor-only activities

The official directions also restrict all camp activities to classrooms or other indoor spaces. No outdoor activity will be allowed because of the prevailing weather conditions.

The permission applies across Punjab for the month of June, but only within the framework laid down by the School Education Department, which has coupled approval with what it described as strict standard operating procedures and eight compulsory restrictions.