Daily Times

LAHORE: The holidays announced for Eidul Azha have spoiled the celebrations of teachers, students and their parents, as they showed serious concern over the reopening of schools on the third day of Eid.

The government has announced the Eid holidays from September 12 to 14. As Eidul Azha falls on September 13, therefore the vacation for Hajj was announced on September 12. As per the announced schedule, schools would be reopening on September 15 (Thursday), which would be the third day of Eidul Azha.

It is pertinent to mention that several families that had planned picnic programmes and other activities have cancelled their plans due the reopening of schools on third day of Eid. Meanwhile, thousands of families that had also left major cities in order to celebrate Eid at their hometowns, would return to their homes without completing celebrations of Eid with their loved ones.

Teachers, students and their parents have unanimously expressed shocked at the decision of the government regarding reopening of schools on the third day of Eid. They said that this act would not only ruin the celebration of students and teacher but their parents as well. They demanded the Punjab government and Education Department to take back the decision and announce holidays till September 16. Talking to Daily Times, Amina, student of class five said that her father had promised her and other siblings that they would visit Lahore Zoo and other parks on third day of Eid, as on first two days they have planned to sacrifice the animals. She said now her school would be reopening on the third day, which means that all planned programmes would have to be cancelled. “How can the education department and other authorities simply ruin the Eid celebrations of children?” she asked.

Rehana, a mother of three, was of the view that she came to Lahore from Islamabad to celebrate Eid with her family members but now she along with her husband was confused about cancelling the plans and returning back to Islamabad. She added that this shocking decision of Punjab government has put in trouble several other parents like her.

Adeel Ahmad, a teacher of class 10, termed the government’s decision as a mean to disturb the lives of people. “There are only few festivals left which we can celebrate with freedom, peace and love, and Eids are among them. If you are not giving time to people for celebration on Eid days, it means that you do not intend to provide relief to the public,” he opined.

Adeel further stated that thousands of teachers like him who live in urban areas without their families for employment opportunities would be disturbed by this decision. “The government’s decision restrict people from sacrificing animals on the third day of Eid,” he added.