Islamabad Schools Reopen After Weeks of Closure

What happened

The government of Islamabad has reopened most of the schools and colleges that were closed for nearly three weeks to accommodate police personnel ahead of a planned protest march. The closures began on September 24, when authorities started accommodating police personnel in educational institutions. The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) issued instructions late Sunday night to reopen most of the 38 affected institutions, allowing thousands of students to return to classes.

However, around 10 schools and colleges will remain closed as police personnel are still staying on their premises. The disruption drew criticism from parents and teachers, who expressed concern over students missing weeks of classes. A school principal said the late announcement made it difficult to inform students and teachers about the reopening, adding that attendance was expected to improve by Tuesday.

Who is affected

The closures affected 38 public-sector schools and colleges in Islamabad, with thousands of students missing classes. Students of these institutions had been sitting idle at home for around three weeks. Parents and teachers expressed concern over the impact of the closures on the students’ academic progress. H-9 College, which recently secured a position in the Federal Board examinations for the first time in its history, was among the affected institutions.

The faculty members of H-9 College expressed concern that the prolonged closure could affect the college’s academic progress. A faculty member said that the college had been closed since September 24, and the morale of the faculty was very high after securing a position in intermediate examinations for the first time in history. However, the closure of the college for a couple of weeks could hinder their progress.

Key dates and details

The closures began on September 24, when authorities started accommodating police personnel in educational institutions ahead of the planned protest march. The FDE issued instructions late Sunday night to reopen most of the 38 affected institutions. Around 10 schools and colleges will remain closed as police personnel are still staying on their premises.

Here are some key dates and details:

• September 24: The closures began when authorities started accommodating police personnel in educational institutions.
• Sunday night: The FDE issued instructions to reopen most of the 38 affected institutions.
• Monday or Tuesday: Students are expected to return to classes, with attendance expected to improve by Tuesday.

What you should do

Students and parents should check with their schools and colleges to confirm the reopening dates and timings. Teachers and faculty members should prepare to make up for the lost time and ensure that the students do not fall behind in their studies. The government and education authorities should ensure that such closures do not happen in the future and that the students’ academic progress is not affected.