Private schools in Pakistan have demanded the removal of the Saturday holiday in the next academic year. School representatives say this step is necessary to ensure that students receive the full 180 days of teaching recommended in an academic calendar.
The demand was raised by Qazi Naeem Anjum, who heads Pak Aiwan-e-Taleem for Private Schools. He suggested that schools should remain open on Saturdays so that teachers can complete the syllabus on time and avoid academic delays.
Anjum also proposed reducing long vacation periods. According to his plan, summer vacations should be limited to two months instead of longer breaks. Winter holidays, he suggested, could be shortened to around 10 days. He also recommended allowing schools to organize summer camps where students can continue learning while taking part in educational activities.
School administrators say these suggestions come after a difficult academic year. In the previous year, several unplanned closures and public holidays reduced the total teaching days to only about 127. This created pressure on teachers and students to finish the syllabus within a limited time.
Education officials have confirmed that the proposals from private schools will be reviewed before any final decision is made. If approved, the changes could affect school schedules across many cities.
A stable academic calendar is important for improving learning outcomes and maintaining consistent progress for students throughout the year.
