LAHORE: The Punjab Education Department has introduced a new weekly schedule under which all schools across the province — both public and private — will remain closed on Fridays.
According to the official notification, educational institutions will now operate from Monday to Thursday, making Friday a weekly holiday. The decision has been implemented uniformly across the province to streamline academic activities and align with broader administrative measures.
School Timings and Shift Details
Under the revised timetable, schools will run from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm from Monday through Thursday.
For institutions operating in double shifts:
- The morning shift will run from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
- The afternoon shift will operate from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
These timings are aimed at maintaining continuity in academic delivery while accommodating different school structures.
Punjab Schools to Reopen on April 1 with Five-Day Schedule
Background: Closure and Reopening
The new schedule comes after schools across Punjab reopened on April 1, following a 22-day closure from March 10 to March 31. The shutdown was part of the federal government’s measures to conserve fuel, as global oil prices surged due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
During the closure period, schools continued online classes to minimize disruption in learning, while examinations were conducted as per schedule.
Sindh’s Parallel Developments
Meanwhile, the Sindh government also resumed in-person academic activities. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that physical classes in schools, colleges, and universities restarted on April 1, replacing online learning.
Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah confirmed that the new academic year in the province has also begun, with a two-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday) remaining in place.
The decision to observe a Friday holiday in Punjab reflects ongoing efforts to manage energy resources while ensuring the continuation of educational activities. While the revised schedule reduces the number of in-person school days, authorities aim to maintain academic standards through structured timings and effective planning.
