KP Schools to Hold Summer Learning Camps in June to Recover Lost Teaching Time

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department has announced a province-wide plan to conduct summer learning camps in public and private schools located in the summer zone during June 2026.

The initiative aims to compensate for academic time lost after schools shifted to a four-day working week during the recent fuel shortage crisis. Education authorities believe the camps will help students recover learning gaps and strengthen their understanding of core subjects before the next academic phase.

Focus on Learning Recovery

According to the official guidelines, the camps will primarily focus on improving students' skills in literacy, numeracy, and conceptual learning. Education Secretary Mohammad Khalid said the department intends to utilize part of the summer vacation period to ensure students do not fall behind academically due to the reduction in classroom instruction.

He noted that teachers will concentrate on key subjects and foundational concepts to improve overall student performance and learning outcomes.

The department also plans to conduct assessments at the end of the camps to evaluate their effectiveness and measure improvements in student learning.

Classes and Timings

The summer camps will run from June 1 to June 30, 2026, with classes scheduled in the morning.

Students in Kindergarten, Grade I, and Grade II will not participate in the camps.

For students in Grades III to VIII, instruction will focus on:

• English
• Urdu
• Mathematics
• General Science/General Knowledge

Classes will be held from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, with each lesson lasting 30 minutes.

Activity-Based and Conceptual Learning

The education department has directed schools to adopt activity-based and project-based teaching methods to address learning losses from the 2025-26 academic year.

Schools have also been instructed to emphasize:

• Conceptual understanding
• Student learning outcomes
• Diagnostic assessments
• Remedial education
• Interactive classroom activities

In addition, schools will provide orientation sessions on revised courses and expected learning outcomes in core subjects.

High and Higher Secondary Students Included

Students enrolled in secondary and higher secondary classes will also attend summer camps under the prescribed schedule.

However, intermediate students appearing in annual practical examinations will be exempt from attending camp activities only on the days of their practical exams.

Academic Activities Only

To maximize learning time, the department has restricted summer camp activities exclusively to academics.

Schools have been instructed not to organize:

• Morning assemblies
• Sports competitions
• Bazm-e-Adab programs
• Guest speaker sessions
• Other co-curricular activities

Officials believe that dedicating the available time entirely to teaching and learning will help students recover lost instructional hours more effectively.

Monitoring and Evaluation

A comprehensive monitoring system has also been put in place.

The Directorate of Curriculum and Teacher Education (DCTE), Abbottabad, will evaluate school performance based on tasks assigned during the camps. The assessment process will conclude by June 29, after which reports will be submitted to the relevant authorities.

Education officials and district administration teams will conduct regular school visits throughout the month. Monitoring staff will spend at least two hours daily in schools to oversee implementation and provide support where needed.

Awards for Outstanding Performance

To encourage participation and quality teaching, the department will recognize top-performing teachers and students at the district level.

Outstanding participants will receive awards, certificates, and cash prizes based on their performance during the summer camps.

District-level closing ceremonies will be held on June 30, featuring project exhibitions, award distributions, and presentations highlighting the achievements of students and schools.

Enrollment Campaign to Continue

The Education Department has also instructed all public and private schools to continue enrollment campaigns during the summer camp period.

Officials believe that keeping schools active during June will support ongoing efforts to bring more children into the education system while helping current students strengthen their academic foundations.

The summer learning initiative represents one of the province's largest remedial education efforts and is aimed at ensuring that students recover lost learning time and enter the new academic session better prepared for future studies.