ISLAMABAD: Different timings have been fixed for educational institutions located in the capital’s urban areas to avoid traffic congestion during peak hours and avoid accidents.

Besides, work on setting new office timings is also in progress, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn.

The urban areas of the capital have been divided into five blocks. Educational institutions located in I and H sectors have been put in Block 1, F-6 and F-7 in Block 2, F-8 and F-10 in Block 4, G-10 and G-11 in Block 4 and F-11 and E-11 in Block 5.

As per the notification issued by the office of the deputy commissioner, the morning shift in institutions located in Block 1 (sectors I and H), Block 2 (F-6 and F-7) and Block 4 (G-10 and G-11) will be 8am to 1pm while evening shift will start from 1:30pm and end at 6:30pm. Timing for Montessori and prep classes will be 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Timings to remain in force till ongoing work at Rawal Dam Chowk, G-7, I.J. Principal Road is completed, DC says

Timing for the morning shift for institutions in Block 3 (F-8 and F-10) and Block 5 (F-11 and E-11) is 8:30am to 1:30pm and 8:30am to 1pm, respectively, whereas the evening shift timings for Montessori and prep classes in schools falling in Block 3 and Block 5 will be 1:45pm to 6:45pm and 8:45am to 12:45pm, respectively.

The deputy commissioner said timings for educational institutions had been set keeping in view traffic congestion during peak hours due to ongoing construction works on different roads, including I.J. Principal Road, Rawal Dam Chowk and G-7. Construction work is also being started on Margalla Avenue.

Thousands of vehicles ply on these roads, with 75,000 on I.J. Principal Road alone, Mr Shafqaat said, adding that traffic on these roads and areas had been diverted on alternative routes due to the ongoing construction works. Massive traffic congestion is also being witnessed on alternative routes, including Srinagar Highway and Islamabad Expressway.

Mr Shafqaat said setting different timings for educational institutions was being implemented for the first time in Pakistan, adding that the timings have been set on a temporary basis and will remain in force till the ongoing construction work was completed in six to seven months.

However, if the experiment succeeds and achieves the desired results, it will be continued, he added.

All private and government educational institutions have been informed about the decision and they have appreciated it, Mr Shafqaat said, adding that institutions were asked to enforce the new timings from Monday (Dec 27).

Officials of the capital administration will be checking implementation of the order.

“Winter vacation in schools will start soon during which the managements of institutions will make preparations to follow the new timings,” he added.

The DC said the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) have been informed about the new timings and they have appreciated it and “assured us of their cooperation”.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2021