Education Ministry and NCOC disagree over winter vacation date

It appears that the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the federal education ministry aren't on the same page when it comes to winter vacation in academic institutions, as the former recommended starting the vacation in the middle of January at a meeting on Wednesday, just one day after the federal education minister announced the holidays would begin on December 25.

Following the NCOC's advice, the ministry has remained mute on the matter and has not set a deadline.

Following a meeting of education secretaries on Tuesday, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood stated that the winter holiday would begin on December 25.

"Today [Tuesday], the federal and provincial secretaries met. Winter vacation would be from December 25 to January 4, according to the agreed-upon proposal. The governments concerned will provide further notifications," Shafqat Mahmood tweeted on Tuesday, according to media reports.

NCOC meeting on Wednesday, however, advised that the vacation be postponed until the second or third week of January to allow for the completion of the ongoing vaccination programme in educational institutions.

According to a senior education ministry official, the ministry and secretaries had previously agreed on December 25 as the start date for winter vacation, but the NCOC had objected.

As stated by sources, a decision on the winter holiday will most likely be taken today by the federal education minister, who will consult with Planning Minister and NCOC head Asad Umar and Health Minister Dr Faisal Sultan before reaching any decision.