School holidays extended to save fuel

In a significant move to conserve fuel and electricity amid persistent energy challenges, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has announced an additional six-day holiday for all public and private educational institutions across the province.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Department issued an official notification stating that schools, colleges and other teaching facilities will remain closed from March 24 to March 29. The measure comes shortly after the Eidul Fitr holidays 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 linked to school operations, student transportation, heating, lighting and administrative activities during a period of heightened demand and supply constraints. By keeping campuses shut for an extended period, authorities hope to achieve meaningful 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 arrangements wherever internet access and digital resources are available. Teachers have been advised to prepare recorded lessons, share assignments through WhatsApp groups or learning management platforms, and conduct virtual assessments if possible.

However, school administrations, clerical staff and admission teams must continue attending offices during the closure period to handle routine paperwork, process new admissions, maintain records and address urgent administrative matters.

Education stakeholders have offered mixed reactions. Supporters argue the step will deliver tangible energy relief and demonstrate fiscal responsibility at a time when fuel prices remain volatile. Critics, particularly from 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 educational gap for thousands of students. The department has directed district education officers and school principals to ensure strict compliance and to communicate the changes clearly to parents and communities. Parents are urged to keep children engaged in self-study and follow any alternative learning schedules provided by their institutions.

This latest closure follows earlier weekly off-days (Fridays and Saturdays) introduced earlier in the academic year for similar conservation reasons, underscoring the province’s ongoing struggle to balance education continuity with resource management in an energy-stressed environment.