Claim: The Government of Punjab has extended winter vacations from 13 January to 18 January 2025 amid cold weather in the region.
Fact: The claim is false as no such notification has been issued. Schools reopened on Monday 13 January 2025.
On 11 January 2025, Soch Fact Check received a WhatsApp forward of an official notification claiming that the Government of Punjab has extended winter vacations for public and private schools from 13 January to 18 January 2025 in the wake of weather conditions. Schools will reopen on 20th January 2025, the notice added.
Fact or Fiction?
To investigate, Soch Fact Check reached out to the Government of Punjab’s Schools Education Department. The Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Sajid Bashir confirmed on call that the notification circulating on social media is fake.
Furthermore, we found that the Schools Education Department had also debunked the claim on their official Facebook page on 11 January 2025. The post read that “schools will re-open on Monday 13 January 2025. Rumours about extension in vacations are just rumours”.
Virality
The notification was widely shared on WhatsApp groups. It was also shared here on Facebook.
Conclusion: A notification regarding the extension of winter vacations in Punjab’s schools is fake. Schools reopened on 13 January 2025.
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Background image in cover photo: Aaj News
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