Summer vacations for educational institutions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have been extended by another four days. According to a notification issued by the Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, educational institutions in the summer zone across AJK will remain closed for four additional days.
According to the Education Department, the extended holiday schedule will run from Monday, August 10, 2026, to Thursday, August 13, 2026. The decision applies to both government and private educational institutions.
The government’s decision has ended uncertainty among students, parents and teachers regarding the holiday schedule. Authorities clarified that the extension will apply uniformly to all relevant summer-zone educational institutions across AJK, with private schools also included.
Educational institutions to remain closed until August 13
Under the revised schedule, educational institutions will remain closed until August 13. The Education Department will issue further instructions regarding the resumption of academic activities.
The department has advised parents and students to follow future official announcements and notifications regarding the reopening of educational institutions to stay informed.
August 14 public holiday
Meanwhile, Friday, August 14, will be a public holiday on account of Pakistan’s Independence Day. This will be followed by the regular weekly holidays on Saturday and Sunday.
As a result, under the current schedule, the holiday period at educational institutions is expected to continue until August 17. However, final instructions from the Education Department regarding the formal resumption of academic activities after August 13 are still awaited.
Punjab schools to open on alternate Saturdays
In a separate development, the Punjab government announced that it may review the school academic calendar after private schools objected to the long summer vacations in the province.
The Education Minister of Punjab, Rana Sikandar Hayat, while speaking to a private TV channel, said that long holidays negatively affect students’ education. He agreed with the concerns that had been raised by private schools.
He said that the government is considering a proposal to open schools on alternate Saturdays after the summer vacations.
Further, the minister added that the new academic calendar will be prepared after consultation with private schools.
He also said that an alternative plan will be made in case schools have to close suddenly due to any situation.
The minister said that the Friday holiday also caused a loss in studies. According to him, schools should remain open for 180 days in a year, but at present, they are functioning for only around 140 days.
Also read: Private schools urge government to reopen schools, shorten summer break