Sindh extends winter school timings till Feb 4

All public, private schools across province to continue to start at 9am

KARACHI:

In view of the prevailing cold weather, the Sindh School Education Department has extended the decision to start schools at 9am until February 4.

According to notification issued by Secretary School Education Sindh Zahid Ali Abbasi, stated that all public and private schools across the province would continue to open at 9am until February 4. Earlier, under a notification issued on January 10, the revised school timings were applicable until January 26; however, the decision has now been further extended.

Meanwhile, All Sindh Private Schools and Colleges Association Chairman Haider Ali welcomed the move, describing it as a prudent step by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah to protect students from harsh weather while ensuring continuity of the academic process.

However, he urged the authorities to convene an immediate meeting of the Steering Committee or its sub-committee to finalise the academic calendar for 2026. He emphasised the need for timely decisions on examination schedules up to Grade VIII, board examinations and their results, new admissions, the commencement of the academic year, vacations, and other key academic matters.

He further stressed that the early issuance of a uniform examination syllabus and paper specifications is essential to facilitate effective preparation by examination boards, teachers, and students.

It may be recalled that on January 10, the Sindh government had revised school timings across the province amid severe cold weather. Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah had directed the adjustment of school hours to help students cope with the cold, following which the Education Department issued an official notification stating that both public and private schools would open at 9am, while closing times would remain unchanged.

Additionally, 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 rather than December.

According to officials, the proposal is being considered due to shifting weather patterns observed in recent years and is expected to be placed on the agenda of an upcoming meeting of the Education Department’s Steering Committee. If approved, winter vacations across Sindh, including Karachi, would be scheduled in January instead of the last ten days of December.