PESHAWAR:
In a significant move to save fuel and electricity in the face of persistent energy challenges, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced an additional six-day holiday for all public and private educational institutions in the province.
The Department of Primary and Secondary Education has issued an official notification stating that schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain closed from March 24 to 29. The measure comes shortly after the Eidul Fitr holiday and is part of a broader provincial strategy focused on fuel conservation and responsible governance.
Officials explained that the decision aims to reduce energy consumption related to school operations, student transportation, heating, lighting and administrative activities during a period of increased demand and supply constraints. By keeping campuses closed for an extended period, authorities hope to achieve significant savings in petroleum products and electricity without permanently disrupting the academic calendar.
To limit academic losses, the department has strongly encouraged schools and colleges to shift teaching online or adopt home-schooling modalities wherever access to the Internet and digital resources are available. Teachers have been advised to prepare recorded lessons, share assignments via WhatsApp groups or learning management platforms and conduct virtual assessments if possible.
However, school administrations, office staff and admissions teams should continue to visit offices during the closure period to handle routine paperwork, process new admissions, maintain records and resolve urgent administrative matters.
Education stakeholders have given mixed reactions. Supporters argue the measure will provide tangible energy relief and demonstrate fiscal responsibility at a time when fuel prices remain volatile. Critics, particularly in remote districts such as Shangla, Upper Dir, Chitral and parts of Kohistan, warn that unreliable or non-existent internet connectivity in mountainous areas will make online learning largely ineffective, potentially widening the education gap for thousands of students. The department has asked district education officials and school principals to ensure strict compliance and clearly communicate changes to parents and communities. Parents are encouraged to keep their children engaged in self-learning and follow any alternative learning programs offered by their institutions.
This latest closure follows weekly days off (Friday and Saturday) introduced earlier in the school year for similar conservation reasons, highlighting the province’s ongoing struggle to balance education continuity and resource management in an environment of energy stress.
