The NA-130 constituency in Lahore witnessed a significant turnout of female voters during the General Elections 2024. Major political parties, including PML-N, PTI, PPP, JI, TLP, and JUI, fielded candidates. The Election Commission of Pakistan set up 376 polling stations, with a notable number dedicated to female voters. The day was marked by lively participation and civic engagement, despite some inappropriate sloganeering by PTI workers. Voters expressed support for various candidates, highlighting PML-N's development projects. The polling process continued peacefully across Lahore.

Michael A. Thomson, principal of Aitchison College Lahore, resigned citing prejudiced actions by the Governor's House that led to governance and management breakdown. Thomson's resignation letter highlighted issues of policy manipulation and preferential treatment. The Governor's House denied the allegations, stating fee concessions were not exclusive favors. Federal Minister Ataullah Tarar attempted to mediate. The resignation has sparked protests from parents and students in support of Thomson, who has been praised for his contributions to the college.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has directed higher education institutions to complete the recruitment process for advertised teaching and non-teaching staff positions within one year from the date of advertisement. This comes after concerns over extended delays in the recruitment process, sometimes beyond two years. HEC Chairman Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed emphasized the importance of staffing HEIs with the best human resources and noted that delays can lead to legal challenges and doubts about the meritocracy of the process. The HEC has also recommended withdrawing positions advertised before March 1, 2022, and completing recruitment for positions advertised after this date by June 30, 2024. The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) has raised concerns about the HEC's authority post-18th Amendment, but the HEC Chairman clarified that the federal HEC has not prohibited provincial HECs from taking measures to improve HEIs. He also highlighted the issue of over 70 public universities lacking regular vice chancellors, particularly in Punjab, and has reached out to the newly elected Prime Minister and Chief Ministers to address this and other challenges.

The article discusses the mismanagement of winter break scheduling in Punjab, highlighting the lack of coordination between government departments, particularly the Meteorological Office and Education Departments. It criticizes the decision to extend the winter break without considering real-time weather data, leading to a disconnect between the break and actual cold weather. Stakeholders, including parents and educators, call for a more informed decision-making process that aligns the break with genuine cold conditions to prevent educational losses.

Winter vacations for private and public schools in Punjab may be extended due to the cold weather, though no official announcement has been made by the School Education Department (SED) Punjab. The Literacy & Non-Formal Education Department Punjab has notified vacations for its institutions from January 1 to 10, 2024. The final decision on extending the winter break will be made by the Punjab government, leading to widespread discussions and some confusion on social media.

The winter break in Punjab has been extended due to colder weather, a recurring issue that highlights the government's failure to plan holidays based on weather data. The break, which began on December 18, 2023, and was initially set to end on January 1, 2024, was extended to January 9, 2024. This has led to concerns among parents, students, and educators about the need for better coordination between government departments, particularly the Meteorological Office and the Education Departments. Stakeholders are calling for the use of real-time weather data in decision-making to ensure the break aligns with actual cold weather, thus preventing educational losses and enhancing the winter vacation experience.

The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) has introduced a new grading system for Matric and Intermediate exams in Pakistan to reduce marks inflation and establish uniform grading standards across all examination boards. The system, which will be phased in by 2025, raises the passing marks to 40% and introduces a 10-point grading scale. Despite claims of implementation starting in 2023, Punjab's exam boards still use a 6-point system with 33% passing marks. The IBCC's success in implementing the new system depends on collaboration with provincial governments to ensure a harmonized educational environment.

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan organized a capacity-building session on financial autonomy and revenue generation for university officials due to the low public funding for higher education. The session highlighted the need for Vice-Chancellors to have financial management skills in addition to academic credentials. Academics advocate for a reevaluation of the appointment process for university leaders to include financial acumen. The government's role in funding higher education institutions is also emphasized, as universities face financial challenges and should not be solely responsible for revenue generation.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi's visit to a public school in Lahore revealed severe inadequacies, including poor infrastructure and hygiene. Despite the availability of real-time data on school conditions, the School Education Department and District Education Authority have failed to address these issues proactively. The article questions whether other government schools will receive similar attention and criticizes the lack of accountability and effective use of resources by the responsible institutions. Naqvi's visit led to immediate actions, such as halting student cleaning duties and pledging accountability for cleanliness, but the broader systemic issues remain unaddressed.

Syed Abidi, a renowned career counsellor, emphasizes the need for Pakistani universities to align their courses with industry demands, particularly in STEM fields, to better prepare students for the evolving job market. He highlights the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, lifelong learning opportunities, and the development of soft skills. Abidi also addresses the brain drain issue, advocating for job creation to retain talent within Pakistan. He commends initiatives like the Pak-UK Education Gateway and the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor for their role in enhancing transnational education.