Punjab Announces Winter Vacation Schedule 2025-26 for Schools

The Punjab government has officially released the Punjab winter vacation schedule 2025 for all educational institutions across the province. The announcement was made by the provincial Education Department to provide timely relief to students, teachers, and parents during the harsh winter season.

According to the notification issued by the department, winter holidays will begin on December 23, 2025, and continue until January 10, 2026. All schools both government and private will reopen on January 13, 2026, marking the beginning of a new academic term.

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Uniform Schedule for All Institutions

To ensure equality and consistency across the education system, the Punjab government has directed all public and private schools to follow the same winter break schedule. This uniformity will help students across the province enjoy their holidays simultaneously without any confusion or differences in reopening dates.

The Education Department of Punjab emphasized that the decision was made after consulting various stakeholders, including school administrations and weather experts. The main goal is to protect students from the sharp temperature drop expected in late December.

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Winter Holidays Announced Due to Severe Weather

Punjab experiences some of its coldest days in late December and early January. The weather forecast for 2025 predicts extremely low temperatures, especially in northern and central districts. To ensure the safety and well-being of children, the government has opted for an extended winter break.

This decision also aligns with the province’s efforts to manage the ongoing smog crisis, which has affected normal school operations for several weeks. The winter vacations will allow schools to remain closed during the period when air quality and weather conditions are most challenging.

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Revised School Timings Due to Smog

In addition to the holiday schedule, the Punjab government recently issued a separate notification revising school timings across the province. These changes came into effect on October 27, 2025, and will continue until April 15, 2026.

Under the new schedule:

• All schools will open at 8:45 AM and close at 1:30 PM.
• On Fridays, classes will end at 12:30 PM.
• Teachers are required to remain on duty from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and until 12:30 PM on Fridays.
• For double-shift schools, the first shift will run from 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM, while the second shift will operate from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that the new timings are necessary due to increasing smog intensity, which poses health risks to children during early morning hours.

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Strict Implementation and Penalties for Violation

The Punjab government has made it clear that no school will be allowed to open before 8:45 AM. Any educational institution found violating this rule will face heavy fines ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs1 million.

Officials from the Punjab Education Department have been assigned to monitor compliance across all districts. These strict measures aim to ensure the safety of students while maintaining discipline within the education system.

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Parents and Teachers Welcome the Decision

Parents and teachers across Punjab have welcomed the winter vacation schedule and revised timings, describing them as much-needed steps to protect students’ health. Many parents expressed relief, noting that the early morning smog and freezing temperatures make it difficult for children to travel to school safely.

Teachers have also appreciated the uniform schedule, which allows them to plan lessons and school activities more effectively for the new term beginning in January 2026.

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Preparing for the Reopening After Holidays

The Education Department has instructed school administrations to complete maintenance and safety checks during the winter holidays. This includes ensuring clean drinking water, proper heating arrangements, and smog protection measures before schools reopen on January 13, 2026.

Authorities have also advised schools to conduct awareness sessions about smog prevention, environmental protection, and personal health care to keep students safe during the winter months.

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Conclusion

The Punjab winter vacation schedule 2025 reflects the government’s proactive approach to ensuring student safety and academic consistency. With well-planned holidays, adjusted school timings, and strict monitoring, the provincial administration aims to provide a comfortable and secure environment for students across the province.

As Punjab braces for the chilly months ahead, these measures promise to bring much-needed relief to families and educators alike.