Punjab announces school’s winter vacations 2023

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided early closure of schools and higher educational institutions in the region in light of alarming smog levels.

The interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi took to social media where he announced that winter vacations for juniors will start from December 18, 2023, and will continue until January 1, 2024.

This time, the provincial administration of the country’s most populated region has decided to close schools a week before the normal winter vacations as toxic smog in the eastern region has made masses sick, forcing authorities to take stringent measures including, shutting some cities over the weekend.

Naqvi in a post announced that schools, colleges, and universities in Punjab, will remain closed from December 18, 2023, to January 1, 2024. He said the provincial administration had meeting with experts, addressing the SMOG challenge.

He announced that the government has not decided to impose restrictions in recent days in light of improved Air Quality Index (AQI).

Punjab’s provincial capital Lahore and adjoining areas feature witnessed humid subtropical climate, with foggy winter remains from December till February, with few western disturbances causing rain and in light of chilly weather, schools and other institutions observe holidays every year for two weeks.

Earlier this week, Sindh government also announced winter break for schools while KP, Balochistan and other regions are expected to announce the date in the days to come.