The Punjab government has officially announced the winter vacation schedule for all educational institutions across the province, according to a notification issued by the provincial Education Department and reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan.
Winter holidays will begin on December 23, 2025, and continue until January 10, 2026. Schools are scheduled to reopen on January 13, 2026, marking the start of the new academic term. Both government and private institutions are required to follow the same schedule to ensure a uniform break for students across Punjab.
The announcement comes as temperatures are expected to drop sharply in late December, with authorities aiming to provide students relief during the peak winter period.
The winter break is designed to help students and staff cope with colder conditions while also giving schools time to adjust to the changing weather.
Earlier, the Punjab Education Department revised school timings in response to worsening smog conditions across the province. As per the updated notification, no school is allowed to open before 8:45am. 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 directed to remain on duty from 8:30am to 2:00pm, and from 8:30am to 12:30pm on Fridays.
The notification also specifies that any school opening before the designated time will be considered in violation of the directive, with fines ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs1 million.
The revised school timings, announced by Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, are effective immediately and will remain in place until April 15, 2026.
Authorities have urged all teachers, students, and parents to strictly follow the new timings to ensure smooth functioning of schools while prioritising student health and safety during periods of smog and cold weather.
