The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science of Mongolia has decided to extend the  winter vacation for secondary schools until the 30^th of January. The decision will apply to all students of grades 1 to 12 at schools in Ulaanbaatar and the provinces of Zavkhan and Khovd.

Parents have demanded an extension in the winter vacation due to the extreme cold alert and a serious nationwide outbreak of influenza.  The icy cold front from Siberia is sweeping across Mongolia, bringing more snow.  Information from the Research Institute for Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment warns that night temperatures will continue at -45 Celsius in western parts of the country and -33 Celsius in central parts of Mongolia until 20^th of February.