ISLAMABAD: The Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority on Thursday announced that all private schools would observe a four-day workweek.
In a notification, the authority, which works under the Ministry of Federal Education, said that the measure was part of the government’s austerity and fuel conservation measures.
“…it is hereby notified that all Private Educational Institutions (PEIs) operating within the Islamabad Capital Territory shall observe four-day workweek (Monday to Thursday) for on-campus academic activities, with immediate effect and till further orders.”
Meanwhile, schools in Punjab will remain closed on Fridays. The educational institutions will operate from Monday to Thursday, while the Friday holiday will apply to both government and private institutions.
Educational institutions reopened on April 1 across the province following a 22-day closure — from March 10-31 — in line with the federal government’s measures to conserve fuel due to the ongoing US and Israel war on Iran, which has spiked global oil prices.
During this period, however, educational institutions conducted online classes, while examinations were held as scheduled.
According to the new schedule issued by the Punjab Education Department, school timings from Monday to Thursday will be from 8am to 1:30pm.
For double-shift schools, the first shift will run from 8am to 12:30pm, while the second shift will operate from 1:00pm to 5:30pm.
The Sindh government, too, had announced the opening of educational institutions a day earlier. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that physical classes at all educational institutions across the province would resume from April 1.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Memon said that schools, colleges, and universities would restart in-person teaching from Wednesday, replacing online classes. He added that all educational institutions would remain closed on Saturdays.
Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah confirmed that the new academic year in Sindh would begin from April 1, with schools observing a two-day weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
