Breaking News: Punjab Education Minister Announces New Winter School Timings 2025–26
The Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has officially announced the new winter school timings for 2025–26, confirming that all schools across Punjab will operate under revised hours to ensure student safety during the cold season.
This announcement came directly from the minister’s verified Facebook page, where he explained that the new timings will help students avoid early morning cold and fog, which often cause illness and attendance issues during the winter months.
🏫 Punjab Winter School Timings 2025–26 — Complete Schedule
According to the statement, all public and private schools in Punjab will open at 8:45 AM and close at 1:30 PM under the new schedule.
The Punjab School Education Department (SED) will issue an official notification shortly, after which these timings will take immediate effect across the province.
| School Type | Days | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Public & Private) | Monday to Thursday | 08:45 AM – 01:30 PM |
| Friday | 08:45 AM – 12:30 PM |
These timings will remain in force till April 15, 2026, after which the summer schedule will be announced.
🌡️ Reason Behind New Winter Timings in Punjab Schools
The Punjab government makes these seasonal adjustments every year to safeguard students during the winter season, especially from dense fog and cold winds common in November through February.
Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat emphasized that the change is a part of the government’s commitment to ensure students’ comfort and safety without disrupting academic progress.
“The health and well-being of students come first,” the minister stated. “Adjusting school hours is a practical step to protect children from morning chill.”
This approach also aligns with the Punjab Education Department’s annual policy that revises school timings according to seasonal and weather conditions.
🧑🏫 Official Notification by Punjab School Education Department
While the minister’s post serves as an initial public announcement, the official SED notification is expected to be issued within days. The document will contain:
- Timings for single-shift and double-shift schools
- Adjusted teacher working hours
- Implementation date across all districts
Once issued, the circular will be shared with District Education Authorities (DEAs), school heads, and private school managements. Parents are advised to confirm timings with their children’s schools before Monday.
👨👩👧 Impact on Parents and Students
The change in timing means parents will have slightly more flexibility in morning routines, as schools will start later than before.
Students, especially those commuting from rural areas, will benefit from warmer and safer mornings, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses such as coughs and flu.
Transport services, van drivers, and school management teams have also been advised to adjust pickup and drop schedules accordingly.
🏫 Previous Winter Timing Trends in Punjab Schools
Historically, the Punjab government has followed a similar pattern of delaying school start times during winters.
- 2024–25 Session: Schools opened at 8:30 AM
- 2023–24 Session: Schools began at 8:45 AM
- 2022–23 Session: Schools started at 9:00 AM for extreme cold days
This consistent adjustment pattern reflects the department’s focus on student safety, especially for younger children attending primary and elementary schools.
📱 Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat’s Digital Updates
The Education Minister has been very active on his official Facebook and X (Twitter) accounts, where he shares real-time updates on:
- School timing changes
- Teacher recruitment and training programs
- Policy reforms for attendance and performance monitoring
- Infrastructure upgrades and digitization in schools
This digital transparency ensures that teachers, parents, and students receive timely information about government decisions without confusion.
💬 Public Reaction and Social Media Response
After the announcement, parents and teachers appreciated the decision across social media platforms. Many welcomed the timing change as a much-needed relief given the recent temperature drops in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sahiwal divisions.
Some parents also requested the government to ensure proper heating arrangements in classrooms and monitor fog-related transport safety for children traveling long distances.
🧾 Expected Implementation Date for New Winter Timings
The official Punjab winter school schedule 2025–26 will come into effect as soon as the SED notification is issued, which is expected within the next 48–72 hours.
All district education authorities (DEAs) will be responsible for ensuring compliance across government and private institutions.
📍 Important Instructions for Schools and Teachers
1️⃣ Schools must display new timings prominently at the main gate.
2️⃣ Teachers should report 15 minutes before school opening.
3️⃣ Morning assemblies should be kept brief due to cold conditions.
4️⃣ Uniform policy may be temporarily relaxed to allow warm clothing.
5️⃣ School heads should monitor attendance and report weather-related absences.
These measures are meant to provide both discipline and flexibility during the winter session.
⚙️ Double-Shift Schools Timetable (Expected)
The SED notification is also expected to clarify the schedule for double-shift schools, which typically follow:
- Morning Shift: 08:45 AM – 01:30 PM
- Afternoon Shift: 01:45 PM – 04:15 PM
However, the final timings for the second shift will be confirmed once the official circular is released.
👩🏫 Teachers’ Working Hours in Winter Season
Teachers in single-shift schools will work from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, while those in double-shift schools will follow staggered duty hours as per school management instructions.
The Education Department will soon release a separate notification for teacher attendance schedules.
🧩 Key Takeaways: Punjab Winter Timings 2025–26
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Announced by | Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat |
| Timing | 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM |
| Effective from | After official SED notification |
| Applicable to | All public and private schools |
| Valid till | 15 April 2026 |
| Friday Timing | 8:45 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Aim | Ensure student safety during cold season |
🔎 People Also Ask about school timings in Punjab 2025–26:
1️⃣ What are the new winter school timings in Punjab 2025–26?
→ All schools will operate from 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM, and on Fridays till 12:30 PM.
2️⃣ Who announced the new school timings in Punjab?
→ Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced the timings on his official Facebook page.
3️⃣ When will the new timings come into effect?
→ They will start as soon as the Punjab School Education Department issues the notification.
4️⃣ Are private schools included in this change?
→ Yes, the timings apply to both public and private schools across Punjab.
5️⃣ Why were school timings changed for winter?
→ To protect students from morning cold and fog, ensuring comfort and health during the season.
🧠 Conclusion – New Winter School Timings 2025–26
The Punjab Education Minister’s decision marks a responsible and timely move to ensure student safety and academic continuity during the cold season.
With the official SED notification expected shortly, parents and teachers should stay alert for updates and prepare for the implementation of winter school timings 2025–26 across all Punjab districts.
This proactive approach highlights Punjab’s commitment to education-friendly governance, ensuring that every student can learn in a safe, warm, and supportive environment.
