The Rawalpindi District Education Authority has officially discontinued second shifts in all government schools running evening classes for the past four years.
This decision affects around 50 schools across the district, as confirmed in a notification issued by the education authority’s chief executive officer.
However, six schools have been exempted from this directive, including Government Modern Boys High School No 2 Rawalpindi, Government Public Academy Secondary School Tench Bhata, and Government Boys High School Chungi No 22, along with specific afternoon schools, educational programs, and community schools, which will continue their second shifts as usual.
The directive takes immediate effect, and starting Monday, April 7, all second-shift schools, except for the exempted ones, will cease operations. Students enrolled in these shifts have been advised to seek admission in alternative schools.
Additionally, temporary teachers working in second shifts have been dismissed, while regular teachers will now only be assigned to the first shift.
The move has faced criticism from teacher unions, with Shafiq Bhalowalia, Central Secretary of the Punjab SES Teachers Association, calling for the decision to be reversed.
Parents have also voiced concerns, particularly regarding the education of their daughters, as many families may now struggle to send them to schools located farther away.
Muhammad Niaz, a resident, pointed out that previously, girls could attend nearby schools in the second shift, but with the closure, they may face difficulties continuing their education.