Public and Private Schools to Resume Five-Day Week Across Punjab
The Punjab School Education Department has announced revised school timings ahead of the reopening of educational institutions following the summer vacation.
All public and private schools across Punjab will resume regular classes from Monday, August 24, 2026.
According to a notification issued by the School Education Department on August 21, schools will operate from Monday to Friday.
The department has also announced separate opening and closing timings for public schools.
The revised public-school schedule will remain effective from August 24 until October 15, 2026.
The new notification clears up uncertainty surrounding school schedules after earlier reports suggested different working hours and possible changes to Friday classes.
Under the confirmed schedule, Friday will remain a working day, although schools will close earlier than on other weekdays.
New Timings for Single and Double-Shift Schools
Single-shift public schools will operate from 8:00am to 1:30pm from Monday to Thursday.
On Fridays, single-shift schools will open at 8:00am and close at 12:45pm.
The schedule for single-shift schools is:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00am to 1:30pm
- Friday: 8:00am to 12:45pm
Different timings have been announced for schools operating in two shifts.
The morning shift at double-shift schools will run from 8:00am to 12:30pm from Monday to Thursday.
On Friday, the morning shift will operate from 8:00am until 12:00 noon.
The evening shift will begin at 1:00pm and end at 5:30pm from Monday to Thursday.
Friday evening classes will begin later, operating from 2:00pm until 5:30pm.
The complete double-shift schedule is:
- Monday to Thursday morning shift: 8:00am to 12:30pm
- Friday morning shift: 8:00am to 12:00 noon
- Monday to Thursday evening shift: 1:00pm to 5:30pm
- Friday evening shift: 2:00pm to 5:30pm
The department said the schedule will remain in force until October 15 unless another notification is issued.
District Authorities Ordered to Ensure Compliance
The School Education Department has directed all Chief Executive Officers of District Education Authorities across Punjab to ensure that the new timings are implemented properly.
District education officials have also been given limited flexibility regarding girls’ schools.
The relevant DEA chief executive officer may adjust the opening and closing time of girls’ schools by up to 15 minutes according to local requirements and convenience.
The notification was issued by Punjab School Education Department Secretary Mudassir Riaz Malik after approval from the competent authority.
Parents and students have been advised to follow the timetable communicated by their respective schools, particularly where district authorities make the permitted adjustment for girls’ institutions.
The reopening marks the resumption of regular academic activities across Punjab after the summer vacation.
With the new schedule confirmed, students at single and double-shift public schools will follow the revised working hours from August 24 through October 15.
