Lahore — Education Desk: In a major shift to the academic calendar, Punjab has announced a four-day school week, with all educational institutions across the province to remain closed on Fridays until further notice.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed the decision on Wednesday, sharing an official notification issued by the Punjab School Education Department. According to the directive, both public and private schools will now operate from Monday to Thursday, marking a significant change in routine for students, teachers, and parents alike.
While the notification outlined the revised schedule, it did not specify the reason behind the move. However, the decision comes at a time when the region is facing broader challenges, including the global fuel crisis linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
New School Timings Announced
Under the updated schedule, schools operating on a single shift will hold classes from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Thursday. For institutions running double shifts, the morning session will take place from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, followed by an afternoon session from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.
Officials say the revised timings are designed to ensure continuity in academic activities while adjusting to the new weekly structure.
Punjab School Education Secretary Muddassir Riaz Malik also confirmed that the Friday holiday) will apply across the board to all schools in the province.
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Colleges and Universities Included
The decision is not limited to schools. A separate notification issued by the Punjab Higher Education Department confirmed that colleges and universities will also follow a four-day work week.
Under this arrangement, higher education institutions will conduct on-campus classes from Monday to Thursday only, aligning their schedules with schools for consistency across the education sector.
Confusion Over Earlier Statement
Interestingly, the announcement comes just hours after the provincial government had indicated that educational institutions would resume a five-day schedule following recent تعطیلات. Earlier in the day, Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat had welcomed students back, stating that academic activities would continue “as per routine.”
The sudden shift to a four-day work week has therefore raised questions among stakeholders, particularly since no official explanation has yet been provided.
Context: Fuel Crisis and Academic Disruptions
The development coincides with the resumption of educational activities after a break caused by the global fuel crisis, which has been linked to ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Rising fuel costs and energy concerns may have influenced the government’s decision, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Focus on Minimising Learning Loss
Despite the abrupt change, the education minister stressed the importance of maintaining academic progress. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the sector and said that efforts are underway to revise policies and compensate for lost learning time.
Consultations are also in progress to develop a long-term strategy aimed at reducing disruptions in the future and ensuring stability in the education system.
For now, students across Punjab can expect shorter school weeks — but with authorities closely monitoring the situation, further changes may still be on the horizon.
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