Islamabad, Apr 7, 2025: In a decisive administrative move, the Rawalpindi District Education Authority has announced the discontinuation of evening sessions in government schools that had been operating double shifts over the past four years. With the Second Shifts Cancelled across the district, this decision will directly impact nearly 50 public sector institutions.
The directive, issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Education Authority, took effect immediately and mandates that evening classes in these schools cease starting Monday, April 7.
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Exceptions to the New Order
According to the official notice, only six schools have been excluded from this policy. These include:
- Government Modern Boys High School No. 2, Rawalpindi
- Government Public Academy Secondary School, Tench Bhata
- Government Boys High School, Chungi No. 22
- Afternoon School Initiatives
- Specialized Education Programs
- Community-based Learning Centers
These few selected institutions will continue operating their second shifts uninterrupted.
Transition Plan and Public Response
Students previously enrolled in the now-discontinued evening classes are being advised to shift to nearby schools operating during the morning hours.
Meanwhile, contract-based teaching staff hired for the second shifts have been released from their duties. Permanent faculty members will now focus solely on regular day-time teaching assignments.
The announcement that Second Shifts Cancelled in most schools has sparked criticism from teacher organizations.
Shafiq Bhalowalia, Central Secretary of the Punjab SES Teachers Association, strongly denounced the decision, urging authorities to reverse the policy for the sake of educational continuity.
Parental Concerns Grow
Many parents have voiced concern, especially regarding the impact on female students. Evening shifts had enabled many girls to attend schools close to home.
Now, with these second shifts gone, families may struggle to send their daughters to more distant institutions due to logistical or cultural constraints.
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Muhammad Niaz, a local resident, stated, “My daughter used to study at the nearby school during the second shift. With the Second Shifts Cancelled, we’re not sure how to manage her schooling going forward.”
The Rawalpindi Education Authority maintains that this change is part of a broader restructuring aimed at resource optimization and academic consolidation, though the debate surrounding its social and educational impact continues to intensify.
