Schools across Punjab reopened today, bringing students back to their classrooms after weeks of disruption, but in several flood-hit villages the wait is not over yet.
While most districts will report a smooth return on Tuesday, several areas in Gurdaspur, Ajnala, Kapurthala, Patiala and others continue to remain shut as authorities assess safety conditions.
Chandigarh: All institutions reopen Sept 8, govt schools for students from Sept 9.
Amritsar: Shut Sept 8; reopen Sept 9 except Ajnala-1, Ajnala-2, Chogawan-1 & Chogawan-2.
Jalandhar: Most open; 41 schools including schools in Kartarpur block, Garha, Rainak Bazaar, Basti areas) await clearance and are shut till Sept 10.
Kapurthala: Baupur Jadid schools under 7 ft water; reopening may take weeks.
Ludhiana: No major flooding; schools reopen on schedule.
Patiala: 43 schools shut till Sept 10; 6 more for students only till Sept 10.
Ferozepur & Fazilka: 66 govt schools remain closed until further notice.
Colleges/Universities/ITIs/Polytechnics: Resume Sept 8, subject to checks.
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced on Sunday that all educational institutions—including schools, colleges, universities, polytechnics and ITIs—will reopen from September 8. While private schools can immediately begin both teaching and administrative work, government schools will follow a staggered plan.
Staff and teachers are to report on Monday for inspections, cleaning and safety checks, while students will attend classes from Tuesday.
“School heads must ensure thorough cleaning with the help of SMCs, panchayats and municipal bodies, and report any structural damage to district authorities before reopening,” Bains said, adding that student safety remains the government’s top priority.
Deputy Commissioners have been authorised to extend closures in areas still struggling with floodwaters.
In Amritsar, DC Sakshi Sawhney announced that schools will remain shut on September 8 and reopen from September 9, except in Ajnala-1, Ajnala-2, Chogawan-1 and Chogawan-2 blocks. Reopening will depend on sanitisation and the submission of safety certificates.
In Jalandhar, DEO Gurinderjit Kaur confirmed that most schools are ready, with cleaning and fogging underway today. However, 41 schools including schools in Kartarpur block, Garha, Rainak Bazaar, Basti areas await clearance and are shut till Sept 10.
In Kapurthala, the worst-affected by the Beas flooding, the Government Elementary and High Schools at ‘Baupur Jadid’ remain submerged under seven feet of water. Both have been shut since mid-August, leaving 137 students without classes.
Teachers warn that it may take 15 days to a month before conditions allow reopening, citing soil erosion, damaged equipment and unsafe premises.
“The worst-affected areas remain Baupur and Mand, where work to strengthen the dhussi bundh is still underway. The decision on reopening schools there will be taken after the BPEOs’ inspection and assessment of the school buildings and infrastructure”, said Mamta Bajaj, DEO Primary Kapurthala.
In Ludhiana, officials reported that floodwaters did not enter villages, though strong river currents and erosion remain a concern. Schools are reopening on schedule.
In Patiala, DC Dr Preeti Yadav ordered 43 schools closed for both staff and students until September 10, and another six closed for students only until then. The rest of the district’s institutions will reopen as per government directions.
In Ferozepur and Fazilka, authorities ordered 66 government schools to remain closed until further notice due to waterlogging and pending safety clearances.
Colleges, universities, ITIs and polytechnics have been permitted to resume across the state from September 8, subject to safety checks.
Education Department officials said restoring normalcy in the academic calendar is essential, but not at the cost of safety. “While schools reopen across Punjab, in flood-hit villages it may take another 15 days before children are back in their classrooms,” an official said.
