The Punjab School Education Department has announced revised timings for public schools across the province from October 16, 2026, to March 31, 2027. According to a notification issued on October 14 and signed by School Education Secretary Muddassir Riaz Malik, the revised schedule will apply to single-shift and double-shift schools.
Under the new schedule, single-shift schools will operate from 8:45 am to 1:30 pm from Monday to Thursday, while Friday classes will run from 8:45 am to 12:30 pm. For double-shift schools, the morning shift will run from 8:45 am to 1:15 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 8:45 am to 12:30 pm on Friday.
Meanwhile, afternoon and evening shifts will operate from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm from Monday to Thursday, while Friday timings will be from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. The department has directed Chief Executive Officers of District Education Authorities (DEAs) to ensure strict implementation of the revised timings across their respective districts.
The notification also authorises the relevant DEAs to adjust the 15-minute gap between opening and closing times for girls’ schools according to local requirements and convenience. The revised schedule will remain in effect until March 31, 2027.
School timings and winter vacation dates are announced through separate notifications by the Punjab School Education Department. For the 2025–26 academic year, winter vacations were initially scheduled from December 22, 2025, to January 10, 2026, before being extended until January 18, 2026. However, the department has not yet announced the winter vacation schedule for 2026–27.
The next notification regarding winter vacations is expected closer to December, while the revised school timings are scheduled to take effect in October. Parents and students should wait for an official announcement before making plans based on the upcoming winter break.
Private schools may follow different operating hours, subject to applicable government directives. Parents whose children’s schools have different timings should contact the school administration to confirm whether the schedule complies with the relevant district instructions. School fee regulations are governed separately from school timings and vacation schedules. Under Punjab’s applicable rules, annual fee increases by private schools are capped at 5 per cent, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements.