Punjab School Education Department announces winter school timings

What happened

The Punjab School Education Department has announced revised winter timings for schools in the province. According to Samaa [1] and ProPakistani [2], the new timings take effect on October 16, 2026, and remain in place until March 31, 2027. ProPakistani reports that the notification was issued on October 14 and is signed by School Education Secretary Muddassir Riaz Malik [2].

For single-shift schools, the timings are as follows:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 1:30pm [1][2]
• Friday: schools close earlier, at 12:30pm [1][2]

Schools running double shifts follow separate schedules:

• Morning shift, Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 1:15pm [1][2]
• Morning shift, Friday: 8:45am to 12:30pm [2]
• Afternoon shift, Monday to Thursday: 1:30pm to 4:30pm [1][2]
• Afternoon shift, Friday: 2pm to 4:30pm [1][2]

Chief executive officers of all districts have been instructed to ensure that schools implement the new schedule [1][2].

The notification also allows district education officials to adjust the 15-minute gap between opening and closing times at girls’ schools according to local requirements [2].

Who is affected

The revised timings cover government schools across Punjab. ProPakistani describes the change as applying to all public schools in the province [2]. Schools that run double shifts have their own morning and afternoon timetables [1][2]. Girls’ schools are named in the notification, where district officials may adjust the 15-minute gap between opening and closing times [2].