Karachi schools to remain closed on January 9 – check details

Private schools and colleges across Sindh will remain completely closed on January 9, 2026. This decision was announced by the Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations (GAPSAS). The strike is being held to protest raids by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

Because of the shutdown, more than six million students will stay at home. School associations say they want a respectful and legal process for verification instead of sudden raids.

Why Private Schools Are Going on Strike

Parents in Karachi and other cities should be ready for school closures on Friday. School representatives say that raids by armed officials create fear and mental stress. They claim that entering classrooms this way disturbs children and makes female teachers feel unsafe.

School owners say that, by law, the Directorate of Private Institutions is the only authorized body to regulate private schools in Sindh. They believe that direct inspections by ACE go against the Sindh Private Educational Institutions Act 2013.

Schools say they are ready to confirm that they provide free education to deserving students, but only through proper legal and civil procedures.

Issue of Free Education Quota

The issue started after a Sindh High Court order on December 8, 2025. The court asked authorities to check whether private schools are giving 10% free education to underprivileged children.

School associations say they already fulfill this responsibility. However, they strongly oppose what they call a “raid culture,” saying it harms the image of educational and welfare institutions that have served for years.

Protest Schedule Announced

The strike is part of a week-long protest plan:

• January 6 to 8: Meetings with parents across Sindh

• January 8: Black Day observed in private schools

• January 9: Complete shutdown of private schools and colleges

The associations have appealed to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Education Minister Sardar Shah to step in and resolve the issue. They also plan to approach the court again against the current verification process.

Government schools will remain open, but the private schools’ strike will affect most students across Sindh.

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