The Government of Sindh has announced an extension of summer vacations in educational institutions across the province, citing severe heatwaves and monsoon conditions as the reasons for this decision. As a result, the new academic session for schools in Sindh, both public and private, will now begin from mid-August. The official notification has been issued, confirming that all schools, including those in Karachi, will reopen on August 15.
The extension of summer vacations by an additional 14 days has delayed the 2024/25 academic session, which was initially scheduled to start on April 15. The caretaker government had previously set August 1 as the new session start date, primarily due to the unavailability of textbooks at the beginning of the academic year. However, concerns regarding the availability of textbooks persist, contributing to the decision to delay the start further. The Sindh Textbook Board has not yet provided a distribution schedule for textbooks to the directorates of government schools. This lack of availability, coupled with the extreme weather conditions, has played a significant role in extending the vacation period.
The closure will also impact government colleges, which were initially set to reopen on August 1. According to the Education Department’s announcement, the closure is in line with efforts to address adverse weather conditions, extending school holidays until August 14. Sindh’s Education Minister, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, has issued a notification, emphasizing that the decision was made in light of the intense heat and heavy rainfall forecast.
Despite the extended vacations, schools are encouraged to continue extracurricular activities and organize events for Independence Day on August 14. Both public and private schools are expected to hold celebrations in honor of Pakistan’s Independence Day, ensuring students remain engaged during the extended break. The new academic year in Sindh will now officially commence on August 15, following the extended summer break.