In a significant shift affecting millions of students, both Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have revised school timings and weekly schedules. The changes, effective immediately, aim to ease pressure caused by the ongoing fuel crisis.
In Lahore, the Secretary School Education Punjab issued a notification announcing that all schools in the province will remain closed on Fridays. The decision applies to both private and government educational institutions across Punjab.
New school timings in Punjab
Under the revised schedule, schools will operate from Monday to Thursday. Educational institutions will open at 8am and close at 1:30pm on these days.
The notification states that the decision will remain in effect until further orders. All district education authorities across Punjab have been directed to ensure immediate implementation of the new policy.
The move comes shortly after the Punjab education minister had earlier announced the reopening of schools five days ago, indicating a rapid policy shift.
KP introduces 4-day working week
Meanwhile, in Peshawar, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has implemented a four-day working week for educational institutions. The Secondary and Elementary Education Department issued a notification confirming the change.
According to the notification, schools across the province will remain closed on both Fridays and Saturdays.
The new working hours and schedule in KP have been enforced immediately from April 1, 2026. Officials confirmed that all institutions must follow the updated timings without delay.
Reason behind the changes
Authorities in KP stated that the revised schedule has been introduced due to rising fuel prices and a shortage of supply. The decision is aimed at reducing operational costs and managing resources more efficiently.
The notification outlines different timings for various education levels. Primary schools will operate from 7:30am to 1:35pm. Middle schools will run from 7:30am to 2:35pm. High and higher secondary schools will remain open until 3pm.
The simultaneous changes in Punjab and KP highlight the growing impact of economic challenges on the education sector. Reduced school days and revised timings are expected to affect routines for students, teachers, and families across both provinces.
.jpg)
