Punjab govt schools to reopen after floods on Sep 9, staff to check safety of buildings tomorrow

Private schools are allowed to open on September 8, provided they ensure the safety of students, said Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.

By: Express News Service

Ludhiana | September 7, 2025 12:26 PM IST

Schools across Punjab have been closed since August 27 due to heavy rains and floods. (File Photo)

Government schools across Punjab will reopen Tuesday, September 9, after the floods, announced Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains Sunday. However, private schools have been allowed to call students Monday, September 8, provided they guarantee the safety of students and ensure their buildings are completely safe, said Bains.

For government schools, teachers and other staff will inspect buildings and get cleaning done on Monday, said the minister, adding students can come Tuesday onwards.

Schools across Punjab have been closed since August 27 due to heavy rains and floods. Punjab is facing the worst floods in the past three decades, with at least 43 deaths until now.

Announcing the decision to reopen schools, colleges and universities, Bains wrote on X: “All government, private, and aided schools, colleges, and universities in the state will reopen as usual from tomorrow (Monday). If any school or college is affected by floods, the decision to close it will be made by the respective district’s Deputy Commissioner.”

“It will be mandatory for the management of private schools to ensure that the school building and classrooms are completely safe to guarantee the safety of students and teachers,” he added.

“On September 8, all government schools in the state will remain closed for students. Teachers will be present in the schools, and cleaning activities will be carried out with the assistance of panchayats, municipal councils, and corporations. Teachers will thoroughly inspect school buildings. If any kind of issue or defect is found, it must be immediately reported to the district’s Deputy Commissioner and the Engineering Department. From September 9, all government schools will reopen as usual,” he added.

Earlier, the Punjab government extended the closure of all schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions in the state until Sunday due to heavy rain and floods. Bains had issued a strict warning to private schools and institutions, stating that complaints were being received that they were still calling staff members for work. He had said strict action would be taken if private institutions did not follow the government’s directions.

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