Punjab Schools and Colleges Opening Today After Floods | Govt Orders Phased Reopening From September 8

Punjab govt announces reopening of schools and colleges from Sept 8 after floods. Govt schools to resume for students from Sept 9, officials confirm.

After being closed for nearly two weeks due to heavy flooding, schools and colleges in Punjab are set to reopen from today, the state government announced. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the reopening would follow a phased plan, with safety of students and staff as the top priority.

According to the minister’s directive, private schools, colleges, universities, ITIs, and polytechnic institutes are allowed to resume classes from September 8, provided that the management has ensured structural safety and cleanliness of buildings. Deputy Commissioners in each district have been authorised to take a call on whether institutions in severely affected areas should remain shut.

For government schools, reopening is being carried out in two stages. On September 8, only teachers and non-teaching staff are required to report for duty in order to inspect classrooms, clean the premises, and assess damage. Students will be allowed to return to school from September 9, subject to clearance from local authorities.

District officials have also been tasked with close monitoring. In Sangrur, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Chaba directed school staff to carry out visual inspections and submit reports to education officers by Monday evening. “The safety of children is paramount, and classes will only resume once buildings are declared fit,” he said.

At the same time, some areas remain exceptions. In Ferozepur and Fazilka, where floodwaters are yet to recede, 66 government schools will remain closed until further notice. Officials confirmed that students in these districts will continue with online classes for now.

Educational institutions across Punjab were closed on August 27 after monsoon floods inundated more than 1,400 villages and damaged infrastructure. With water levels receding in most places, the government has now begun the gradual reopening process while keeping discretion with local administrations.

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