Sindh may shut schools for winter vacations in January from next session

KARACHI:

The Sindh Education and Literacy Department has begun considering a revision of the winter vacation schedule for schools starting from the academic session 2026–27, in view of the increasing severity of cold weather in January instead of December.

According to officials, the proposed change is being contemplated due to shifting weather patterns observed over recent years. The matter is set to be included in the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the Education Department’s Steering Committee. If approved, winter vacations across Sindh, including Karachi, would begin in January rather than during the last ten days of December.

Sources in the Education Department said that for several years, December has not experienced intense cold in Sindh. Instead, severe winter conditions—marked by chilly winds and temperatures dropping to single digits—have been recorded in January. However, under the existing academic calendar, winter vacations end before this period, and schools reopen on January 1, forcing students to attend classes in harsh weather conditions.

Read More: Sindh alters school timings amid chilly weather

The sources further stated that during the current academic session, winter holidays had already ended when schools reopened, and the cold intensified soon afterward. As an immediate relief measure for students, the department, with the approval of Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah, temporarily revised school timings for two weeks. Under the issued notification, schools operated from 9am from Monday, January 12, to January 26.

For the next academic year, the issue is now being formally taken to the Steering Committee for discussion. If the committee grants approval, the new academic calendar is expected to place winter vacations in the first ten days of January 2027 across Karachi and the rest of Sindh.