Private school associations across Pakistan have strongly opposed the Punjab government’s decision to announce extended summer vacations from May 22 to August 23. The associations have termed the 90-day break harmful to academic activities and announced plans to challenge the decision in the Lahore High Court.
According to representatives of major private school bodies, such a long closure could negatively impact students’ learning continuity and increase dropout risks. They emphasized that keeping students away from classrooms for an extended period may reduce their interest in studies and push them toward non-academic distractions.
Leaders of the All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association expressed serious concerns, stating that early and prolonged vacations could disrupt the academic calendar. They also highlighted that millions of children in Pakistan are already out of school, and such policies could worsen the situation.
The associations further referred to previous observations by the Lahore High Court, where reducing summer vacations to less than 40 days had been suggested. They argued that the current decision contradicts those recommendations and could harm the overall education system.
In response, school representatives have proposed an alternative schedule, suggesting that vacations should run from June 1 to August 14 instead of a full three months. They also recommended adjusting school timings during extreme heat rather than completely shutting down institutions.
Additionally, there have been calls to allow summer camps for senior classes to ensure continuity in education. Some representatives proposed that longer vacations should only apply to junior classes, while older students should have shorter breaks to maintain academic progress.
The Punjab government, however, has already approved the summer vacation schedule. As the situation develops, the matter is expected to be taken to court, where a final decision may determine the future of academic schedules in the province.
