The world wide geopolitical tensions give rise to fuel prices that worsened the energy crisis, forcing the government to practice tough austerity measures. The above have severely impacted developing countries and Pakistan no exception. To cope with the severity of issues , the government has acted immediately and introduces measures across the country, like schools closure, online learning, work-from-home policies, reduced office attendance upto fifty percent.
Moreover, load shedding schedules been introduced for both power and gas. These are adjusted to minimise disruptions. However, public is exploring alternative energy sources like solar panels in order to reduce reliance on expensive fuel that is imported at very high price. To avoid and reduce fuel import for energy, a common man is encouraged to opt for energy conservation via public awareness campaign on social media. Our country’s environment specially summers are loaded with sunshine. It can be used for street lightning via solar energy.
Alternative for gas load shedding, people keep cylinders as second option, but they are not very safe .. casualties continue to happen but no other option for many belong to lower middle class. Electric stoves are expensive not accessible to large population.This option is only for those who can afford heavy generators , ( hardly 5 percent of the population) rest of the public have to become the slave of the timings when power and gas are available. They are forced to discipline themselves accordingly.
Other very recent step taken is of imposing smart lock down in the province of Sindh, very late though as compared to rest of the country. Not for smart lock down but other austerity measures were taken earlier.
Smart lock down considered and designed in a way to have flexible working hours to reduce peak- hour energy demand. This will save energy which will hopefully be supplied to industrial / manufacturing units at reasonable rates.
Government also slashes energy use with tough austerity measures. Schools were shut down for two weeks ( resumed now ). Government offices open and work for four days a week instead of five days a week. Moreover various public services are transferred as online during March and still continue in April 2026. 50 percent staff reduction in offices and universities that is 50 percent staff will attend office on alternate days while instructors will take online classes.
One important measure taken is 60 percent official vehicle taken off the road. Besides, it is also observed that public transport is reduced by 30 percent. Street lightening adjusted in order to save power. Revised timings for Malls, markets are upto 9 pm in Sindh province. Restaurants untill 11:30 pm while wedding halls from 8 pm till 12:30 pm
In the rest of the country markets and Malls generally close by 8:00 pm, restaurants and marriage halls by 10:00 pm.
The timings for revision are highly flexible, having a provision to adjust them is essential in view of effective energy saving plan.
Why not markets and Malls be open at 8 am and close at 6 pm.
Same way restaurants may be open for three days instead of seven. Other days online business will do. Weddings can take place from 4 pm to 7 pm .
This trend is already in practice.
With all the above measures when undertaken will give room for education sector to remain untouched, the most important yet most neglected.
It will not be out of place if discuss one decision imposed by the government, that is, of schools closure and online classes. It is observed that online learning during the energy crises risks widening the education gaps specially for vulnerable students lacking the resources. Main concerns are of learning losses, mental stress, and reduced or total absence of social interaction. Schools have been reopened though after two weeks closure now but still rumors in the air that schools will again be closed. These children are our future our assets…their education should be the priority.
School closure have severe and various impacts on children. The school absence from their lives have significant adverse results on children alongwith learning losses. Schools closure also negatively affect daily discipline , general health, nutrition intake as well as mental health issues like anxiety and loneliness and a lack of social interaction. It have devastating impact on children. They want to have eye contact with the teacher. With power outages there are constant disruptions of Internet connections. If parents are also working, it becomes even more difficult to make young ones sit for online learning.
During my informal conversation with children in the family and friends offsprings, not a single child liked online classes. They are devastated
First and foremost they miss their friends, class activities with the teacher, school playground and recess time.
The financial loss calculated by economists due to interurrupted education and potential is almost 6.5 percent loss in income for each year missed.
Social distancing and no interaction with peers have harmful, damaging effects on mental health, when reducing Social interaction which is extremely important for development is practiced.
At present, at the University level also , online classes have been introduced and implemented, resulting a total chaos among older students who need to consult seminar libraries in the department, main library for reference material. They are unable to borrow notes, books or get the help in understanding lectures.
When discussing with peer educationists, considering primary and secondary school children as well as higher education personal, they are of the view that we are already nowhere when compared in the region. The detailed article in Sunday’s Dawn dated 19th April 2026, documented that ZERO Pakistani institutions are ranked among the world’s top 350 universities according to the QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS.
Evidence we are already far behind others.
Most humble suggestion is to impose tough measures to all but refrain touching education. These young children have immense potential. The practical suggestion may be to focus on core subjects and condensed rest of the curriculum. Practice flexible assessment methods in order to accommodate gaps.
It is also manageable to encourage community based learning initiatives where ever required.
School closures have been described as having ,” devastating consequences for children ” in studies published in Bianet and UNESCO reports.
According to CMI ( Chr. Michelle Institute ),these effects are compounded in developing countries more due to limited remote learning resources available.
