Ludhiana Schools Reopen to Empty Classrooms After Extended Winter Break
Schools in Ludhiana officially reopened their doors on Wednesday following a winter break that authorities extended twice. However, thousands of students across the city chose to remain at home. Government institutions reported alarmingly low attendance figures, with some schools seeing only 15% of their students present. This situation highlights a clear disconnect between the official academic calendar and the practical realities families face during Punjab's severe cold season.
A Decision Made Amidst Falling Temperatures
The winter vacation was originally scheduled to conclude on January 1st. Due to plunging temperatures, officials first extended the break until January 7th. As the cold wave persisted, they pushed the date back again to January 13th. The final decision to resume classes on January 14th has generated mixed reactions from teachers and worried parents alike. This reopening date unfortunately coincided with both the Maghi festival and the region's ongoing morning chill.
Multiple Factors Create a 'Perfect Storm' of Absences
School principals across Ludhiana pointed to several converging reasons for the empty classrooms.
- Cultural Celebration: Many families observed the traditional Maghi festival on Wednesday, leading to a notable drop in attendance in both rural and urban areas.
- Severe Weather: A dense cold wave continues to grip the region. Parents of young children expressed particular concern about sending their kids out in the harsh morning conditions.
- Academic Pressure: With crucial pre-board examinations scheduled to begin on January 16th, numerous senior students reportedly decided to stay home and focus on their studies instead of attending class.
Attendance Figures Paint a Stark Picture
The impact of these combined factors was severe, especially in government senior secondary smart schools where attendance barely reached 50%.
At the PAU Government Senior Secondary Smart School, which serves around 2,500 students in its morning session, Principal Dr. Pardeep Sharma reported that only about 40% of students showed up for the first day back.
A similar scene unfolded at the PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School on Cemetery Road. Principal Charanjeet Kaur Ahuja noted an attendance rate of just 42% out of a total enrollment of 1,756 students. School officials attributed the nearly 60% absence rate to the lingering morning fog and the Maghi holiday.
The Girls Government Senior Secondary School in Jawahar Nagar fared slightly better but still saw significant absences. Principal Sonika Jain reported that exactly half of the school's 516 students were present. She cited the unfortunate timing of the festival coinciding with the reopening as a key reason for the many empty desks.
The most drastic figures emerged from Shaheed-e-Azam Sukhdev Thapar Government School, where attendance plummeted to a mere 15-20%. Principal Jaswinder Kaur Mangat suggested the upcoming academic schedule was the likely cause.
Exam Preparation Takes Priority for Many Students
"The low turnout at our campus may be due to the upcoming pre-boards," stated Principal Jaswinder Kaur Mangat. "Students likely feel their time is better spent preparing at home." This sentiment reflects a growing trend where high-stakes examinations influence daily school attendance.
Parents Demand Greater Flexibility and Safety
The reopening has ignited a broader debate about student welfare during the winter months. Parents of primary school children have raised serious concerns about the "morning chill." Many are calling on the government to implement more flexible measures.
These requests include delaying school start times or adopting a hybrid online learning model during periods of extreme cold. "The children are simply not comfortable in this weather," one parent remarked. This view is widely shared, with many believing the health risks of the commute outweigh the benefits of in-person instruction during severe temperature drops.
While the academic year has officially resumed, the real test for attendance will come on January 16th. On that date, the commencement of examinations is expected to compel a much larger number of students to return to their classrooms.
