Punjab Announces New Timings for Non-Formal Schools Until March 2027

What happened

The Punjab government has revised the school timings for non-formal schools across the province [1]. According to an order from the Directorate General of Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education issued on October 19, these schools will now operate from 8:45 AM to 12:45 PM, Monday through Saturday [1]. This new schedule takes effect immediately and is set to remain in force until March 31, 2027 [1].

The order was issued with approval from the competent authority and includes specific instructions for implementation. District officials have been allowed to adjust school timings on a case-by-case basis to meet the needs of their specific target populations [1]. To ensure the changes are recorded, the directorate instructed districts to update the revised timings on the Non-Formal Education Management Information System (NFEMIS) portal immediately [1]. Additionally, all District Education Officers (Literacy) across Punjab have been directed to ensure full compliance with this new schedule [1].

This change for non-formal schools follows other seasonal timing adjustments in the province. The Punjab School Education Department previously revised timings for government schools, effective from October 16, 2026, until March 31, 2027 [2]. Under those rules, single-shift government schools run from 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM Monday through Thursday, with Friday classes ending at 12:30 PM [2]. Double-shift government schools have morning sessions from 8:45 AM to 1:15 PM Monday through Thursday, and afternoon sessions from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, with Friday afternoon shifts running from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM [2].

Furthermore, the Lahore High Court has announced revised working hours for civil and sessions courts across Punjab for the winter season [2]. These court timings will run from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027 [2]. From Monday to Thursday, courts will operate from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, while Friday hours will be from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM [2].

Who is affected

• Non-formal schools across Punjab [1].
• District Education Officers (Literacy) in Punjab [1].
• Government schools operating under single-shift and double-shift systems [2].
• Civil and sessions courts across Punjab [2].
• Litigants, lawyers, and visitors to the courts [2].