According to the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) , all institutes under Islamabad’s jurisdiction will observe Saturday as a working day from now onwards. Only one day, Sunday would be considered a holiday for Islamabad.
This decision was taken to compensate for the loss in academics of students due to the recent closure of schools and colleges in the federal capital from November 30, 2024, to February 1, 2025.
The November 29, 2024, notification declared that frequent interruptions, such as political protests, mainly forced the closures. This month, for instance, all the PTI protests caused the authorities to close educational institutions for several days for safety reasons.
Also Read: FBR Faces Rs. 255 Billion Tax Revenue Shortfall in First 5 Months of FY25
These interruptions have resulted in a very considerable loss of classroom time and, as a result, require the FDE to temporarily implement a work schedule in which students use all six working days. All schools and colleges, both in urban and rural areas, operating under the aegis of the FDE, are required to implement the same within previously notified official timings.
The directive also bears the approval of the Director General, FDE, and emphasizes the recovery of lost instructional hours needed to meet the academic targets of students for the year.
The decision presented itself amid criticism from parents and educational stakeholders, who cite that prolonged political upheaval affects students’ learning. The added working day is meant to offset these losses while ensuring academic continuity.