LAHORE: The Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, declared the suspension of classes for students in grade one and below for a week due to the ongoing severe cold wave affecting the province.
In an emergency meeting held at Lahore’s Children’s Hospital, Naqvi announced the postponement of exams for grades 1-10 following the unfortunate demise of 36 children due to pneumonia.
Naqvi emphasized that the government’s decision was prompted by the high incidence of pneumonia among children, with eight out of ten affected by the illness.
He also instructed schools to eliminate the morning assembly routine and urged keeping children with pneumonia away from school. Additionally, he stressed the importance of vaccinating children and the elderly against pneumonia.
This development occurred as schools reopened across the province after the winter break, which began on December 18, 2023. Earlier, the provincial government had adjusted school timings to commence at 9:30 am from January 10 to January 22, considering the ongoing cold weather conditions.
Last week, the Punjab School Education Department extended the winter holidays for public and private educational institutions until January 9, citing the prevailing severe weather conditions.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
