Private Schools Call for End of Saturday Holidays in Pakistan, citing concerns over syllabus completion and teaching days shortage. School leaders say unannounced school holidays disrupted the previous academic year. Many schools could conduct only 127 teaching days, far below the recommended academic year of 180 days. This shortage affects student learning hours and overall performance.
Reasons Behind the Demand
The head of Pak Aiwan-e-Taleem, Qazi Naeem Anjum, suggested limiting summer holidays to two months and reducing winter vacations to 10 days in January. He emphasized that extending the weekend reduces instructional time and creates syllabus completion challenges. Schools also proposed organizing summer camps in schools to help students catch up and maintain steady learning progress.
Impact on Students and Parents
Ending the Saturday holiday could improve the private school timetable and ensure timely syllabus coverage. Parents might face changes in weekend routines, but extended school hours may benefit students academically. Critics, however, warn of increased student fatigue. Education experts suggest a balance between academic demands and extracurricular activities to maintain overall well-being.
Government Response and Policy Outlook
Officials from the School Education Department in Islamabad assured private school representatives that proposals would be considered. Authorities are reviewing academic schedule reform and evaluating how the shortage of teaching days affects learning outcomes. Policy adjustments may align with educational standards and student needs across educational policy in Pakistan.
Conclusion
The call from private schools to end Saturday holidays highlights the need for efficient time management and academic improvements. Reducing unplanned breaks and extending teaching hours ensures students complete the syllabus effectively.
