The All Pakistan Private Schools and Management Association announced its plan to file a writ petition in the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the Punjab government’s decision to keep all public and private schools closed until August 31.
The move comes in response to the provincial Education Department’s directive allowing only Classes 9 and 10 to reopen, a step parents have denounced as inadequate.
They argue that the continued closure of other classes has placed children’s academic futures in jeopardy.
In their petition, the association and parents contend that the summer break extension is unjustified, noting that schools in other provinces, as well as institutions under the federal government, remain open.
They highlighted the disparity in Rawalpindi, where federal government schools are functioning while those under the Punjab administration remain shut — a situation they describe as discriminatory and legally untenable.
The petition further asserts that the Punjab government’s notification provides no valid reason for the closures.
Under Section 12 of the Punjab Private Educational Institutions Act, authorities may only declare holidays in cases of emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, or other natural disasters.
The extension, they argue, does not meet these criteria.
The association maintained that education is a constitutionally protected fundamental right that cannot be denied under any circumstances.
The petitioners have urged the court to suspend the provincial government’s notification immediately, allowing teaching activities to resume without further delay.