FDE Ends Saturday Holiday for Islamabad Schools & Colleges

Islamabad Educational Institutions to Abolish Saturday Holiday

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has made a pivotal decision to abolish the Saturday holiday for schools and colleges in Islamabad. This change will come into effect from November 30, 2024, and continue until February 1, 2025, as a measure to recover academic time lost due to recent closures.

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Six working days to compensate for academic disruptions

Under the new directive, all educational institutions under the FDE’s jurisdiction will operate six days a week. The notification specifies that the institutions will maintain their previously scheduled official timings. The recent political protests in the capital have caused academic setbacks, which this move aims to address.

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Reason Behind the Decision: Political Protests and School Closures

The FDE’s decision follows a series of closures in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where educational institutions remained shut for three consecutive days due to protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The demonstrations, which started on November 24 and ended on November 27, led to significant interruptions in regular academic activities.

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Impact on Students and Educators

Academic circles have expressed concerns about the impact of these closures on students’ learning progress. With the academic year already under time constraints, the disruptions have made it challenging for both students and educators to adhere to prescribed curricula and complete necessary lessons before the final exams.

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Calls for Exam Schedule Review Amid Academic Losses

Abrar Ahmed Khan, President of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association North Punjab, highlighted that the interruptions are leaving students with insufficient time to finish their studies. With the matriculation exams scheduled to begin on March 4 and winter vacations planned from December 20 to January 10, Khan has urged education boards to reconsider the exam schedule to accommodate these disruptions.

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Security lockdown during protests adds to the challenges.

The political unrest in the federal capital also resulted in a security lockdown, further complicating the situation. With transport services suspended and clashes between police and protesters, many students and educators were unable to attend school, exacerbating the challenges faced by the education system.

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FDE’s Directive: A Step Toward Recovery

With the implementation of this new directive, the FDE aims to mitigate the disruption and ensure that academic programs continue as planned. The move will help recover lost academic time and allow students to complete their coursework within the required timelines for the upcoming exams.

Source: Geo

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