The Government of Sindh has officially announced winter vacations for all educational institutions across the province. The decision follows a meeting of the Sindh Education Department’s Steering Committee, which reviewed weather conditions and the academic calendar before releasing the final schedule.
Winter Break Confirmed Across Sindh
The provincial government has confirmed that all public and private schools will close from 22 December to 31 December. Academic activities will resume on 1 January, marking the start of the new year for students and teachers.
According to the department’s spokesperson, the decision applies uniformly to all districts, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Mirpurkhas. This uniformity aims to prevent confusion among parents and ensure that schools operate on a consistent yearly schedule.
Winter holidays are usually observed in late December in Sindh due to milder winter conditions compared to Pakistan’s northern regions. However, temperatures in several parts of the province tend to drop significantly during the final weeks of the month, prompting a temporary break in academic routines.
Exams Will Continue Despite the Holidays
While schools will remain closed, supplementary examinations organized by educational boards will continue as planned. The spokesperson emphasized that examination candidates must appear according to the notified dates.
This includes exams overseen by the Karachi Board of Secondary Education, the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK), as well as boards in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Mirpurkhas.
Education officials explained that postponing board exams can create longer delays, affect admissions cycles, and disrupt the academic calendar for thousands of students. Therefore, maintaining the original schedule helps avoid further academic pressure.
Why the Dates Matter This Year
The Steering Committee’s decision took into account two main factors:
1. Weather Conditions
Although Sindh generally experiences shorter and milder winters compared to northern Pakistan, December nights can become unusually cold. Temperature drops in interior Sindh sometimes reach below 10°C, affecting school attendance, especially in rural areas.
To safeguard student health, the committee selected dates that fall during the coldest week of the month.
2. Planning for Parents and Schools
Officials stated that announcing the schedule early helps families plan travel and allows schools to adjust their internal timelines. This includes closing annual assessments, preparing for the next term, and planning co-curricular activities for January.
Parents often request earlier notice for holiday dates, as many families travel to other provinces or abroad during the winter break. The confirmed schedule helps reduce uncertainty and improve coordination.
A Routine Yet Important Annual Decision
Winter vacations in Sindh typically span about 10 days, shorter than holidays in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the colder climate prompts longer breaks. In contrast, Sindh’s coastline and plains generally experience moderate winter temperatures.
Even so, health experts often advise reducing early-morning school activities during colder weeks due to the increased risk of respiratory infections among children. Schools also use this period for minor maintenance work and campus improvements without disrupting regular classes.
Schools to Resume on 1 January
Educational institutions will reopen on Monday, 1 January, with regular schedules. Teachers have been advised to complete preparatory work before the break ends, as many schools begin mid-term assessments in January.
Students are encouraged to check notifications issued by their respective institutions, especially regarding exam-related announcements or upcoming events after the holidays.
