The Government of Punjab’s School Education Department has released a solemn notification regarding punjab school timings 2026, effective from 1st April 2026. This directive brings a historic change to the academic calendar across all public and private institutions in the province.
Table of Contents
Background and Official Context
The notification, issued under No.SO(ACAD-I)1-31/2025, supersedes previous schedules. Consequently, the competent authority has approved a landmark shift: all educational institutions will remain closed every Friday until further orders. This decision impacts over 50,000 schools across Punjab.
Notification Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Reference Number | NO.SO(ACAD-I)1-31/2025 |
| File / Diary Number | SED/OPS/GEN/O/260401/0581 |
| Date Issued | 1st April, 2026 |
| Issuing Government Department | Government of the Punjab, School Education Department |
| QR Code | Not available on document |
| Competent Authority Approval | Pursuant to approval of the Competent Authority |
| Applicability | All Public & Private Schools across Punjab |
| Valid From | 1st April, 2026 (Friday off until further orders) |
| Signed By | Muddassir Riaz Malik, Secretary, School Education Department |
Key Changes in Weekly Schedule
Previously, schools operated six days a week. Under the new punjab school timings 2026, Friday is declared a complete holiday. Moreover, the revised daily schedules for Monday through Thursday are as follows:
| Day(s) | Timing | School Type |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM | Single Shift Schools |
| Monday to Thursday | 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Double Shift (Morning) |
| Monday to Thursday | 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Double Shift (Evening) |
Compliance Directives for All CEOs
The notification explicitly orders all Chief Executive Officers (DEAs) across Punjab to ensure strict compliance. Additionally, the Secretary of the School Education Department, Muddassir Riaz Malik, has signed the directive, making it legally binding for both public and private institutions.
punjab school timings 2026 Original Notification Text
Below is the unaltered, full text of the official government notification:
TO BE SUBSTITUTED BEARING EVEN NUMBER & DATE
GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB
SCHOOL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Dated the 1st April, 2026
SED/OPS/GEN/O/260401/0581
NOTIFICATION
NO.SO(ACAD-I)1-31/2025. Pursuant to approval of the Competent Authority, it is hereby notified that all Public & Private Schools across Punjab shall remain off on Friday till further orders.
- It is further notified that school timings (opening & closing hours) in public schools shall be observed as follows:
| DAYS | TIMINGS | SCHOOLS |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 8:00 am to 1:30 pm | Single Shift |
| Monday to Thursday | 8:00 am to 12:30 pm (Morning shift) | Double shift / Afternoon Schools |
| Monday to Thursday | 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm (Evening shift) |
- All Chief Executive Officers (DEAs) in Punjab shall make sure compliance of the directions in letter & spirit.
MUDDASSIR RIAZ MALIK
SECRETARY
SCHOOL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
C.C.
A copy is forwarded for information and necessary action to the:-
Director General (Monitoring and Evaluation) (Monitoring and Evaluation)
NO. & DATE
A copy is forwarded for information and necessary action to the:-
- Senior Minister (SM)
- MINISTER | SED (School Education Department)
- Secretary (School Education Department)
- Special Secretary (Operations)
- Additional Secretary (Admin)
- DPI (SE/EE) Pb – South Pb
- All CEOs (DEAs) Punjab
SECTION OFFICER
(ACADEMICS-I)
Summary of the New School Policy
In summary, the Punjab school timings 2026 introduce a permanent Friday off for all schools. Single shift institutions will operate from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM, while double-shift schools follow morning (8:00 AM–12:30 PM) and evening (1:00 PM–5:30 PM) schedules. All CEOs must enforce these rules immediately. Parents and teachers should prepare for a four-day academic week moving forward.
