Government Announces New School Hours for Winter
The Government of Punjab has officially announced revised winter timings for all public schools across the province. According to the notification issued on Monday, the new schedule will come into effect from October 27, 2025, and remain valid until April 15, 2026.
Under the new arrangement, all schools will open at 8:45 a.m. during the winter season — a shift introduced to help students and teachers cope with colder mornings. The change is part of the province’s annual adjustment to ensure comfort and safety during the winter months.
Timings for Single and Double-Shift Schools
For single-shift schools, classes will run from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, schools will close earlier, at 12:30 p.m.
For double-shift schools, the morning session will operate from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., while the second shift will be held between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. On Fridays, the first shift will run from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the second shift from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This adjustment is expected to benefit thousands of students in both urban and rural areas. Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan, has over 55,000 government schools, employing more than 400,000 teachers and serving over 12 million students, according to the provincial education department.
Revised Schedule for Teachers
Teachers have also been given a revised duty schedule. From Monday to Thursday, they are required to be on duty from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., while on Fridays, their working hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In double-shift schools, teachers assigned to the afternoon session will work from 12:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additionally, every second Saturday, staff will participate in training or administrative activities between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
Ensuring Continuity of Learning
Officials say the new schedule balances instructional needs with practical considerations during the colder months. The Education Department emphasized that punctuality and attendance must be strictly maintained, as reduced daylight hours can already affect learning time.
The government also urged parents to ensure children dress warmly and arrive on time, noting that winter schedules are standard practice across Punjab’s public education system.
