Punjab announces winter vacation schedule

The Punjab government has officially announced the schedule for winter vacations for all educational institutions across the province, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

According to the notification issued by the provincial Education Department, winter holidays will begin on December 23, 2025, and continue until January 10, 2026. All schools are set to reopen on January 13, 2026, marking the start of the new academic term.

The department said both government and private educational institutions in Punjab are required to follow the same schedule to ensure a uniform break for students across the province.

The announcement comes as temperatures are expected to drop sharply in late December, with authorities aiming to provide relief to students during the peak winter period.

Last week, Punjab Education Department revised school timings across the province due to worsening smog conditions. As per the notification, no educational institution will be allowed to open before 8:45am

According to an official notification, the timings for all public and private schools in Punjab have been changed in response to the increase in smog intensity.

It further stated that any school opening before 8:45am will be considered in violation of the directive and may face fines ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs1 million. The Punjab government officially revised school timings, effective immediately from October 27, 2025, until April 15, 2026.

According to the new schedule, announced by Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on Sunday, all schools will now open at 8:45am and close at 1:30pm. Teachers, students, and parents have been directed to follow the new timings.

As per the notification, single-shift schools will operate from 8:45am to 1:30pm, while on Fridays, classes will end at 12:30pm. In double-shift schools, the first shift will run from 8:45am to 1:30pm and the second shift from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Teachers have been instructed to remain on duty from 8:30am to 2:00pm, and from 8:30am to 12:30pm on Fridays.