Punjab Government Enforces New Winter School Timings
The provincial government of Punjab has enforced new winter school in Punjab schools hours from November 3, 20225 to January 31, 2026 for public and private schools through out the province due to cold weather and increased smog. Under normal circumstances the provincial government would not mandate the changing of school hours because of inadequate ventilation and high car emissions in the morning with disruption from air quality, including smog, especially with the risk of illness during the current pandemic.
As reported by ARY News winter schedule in all areas of the province, no institution is allowed to open any earlier than 8:45 AM with fines ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 500,000 concerning their various publicly-funded projects throughout the province. The objective for the winter school times will ultimately be the safety and health of the children who will be even more susceptible smog in Lahore and negatively affected by extreme cold. Winter school times have been suggested to the provincial government due to several issues with attendance due to various issues with attendance, fine on schools including air quality and morning fog. Ultimately school times in line with daylight hours for students should ensure a better and safer school environment for children in Punjab during the coldest months new school timings.
Detailed Timings for Single and Double Shifts
With the new winter school timetable in place for Punjab, single-shift schools will run Monday-Thursday from 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM – with students getting out at 12:30 PM on Friday. Double-shift schools will have morning sessions at the same time as single-shift schools (8:45 AM to 1:30 PM Monday-Thursday and 8:45 AM to 12:30 PM on Friday). The afternoon shift will begin at 1:00 PM and last until 4:00 PM Monday-Thursday while Friday will have afternoon sessions at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. These organized timings allow appropriate breaks and rest for students and minimize their exposure to significant cold and smog. eanwhile government notificationEducational professionals suggested that better sleep schedules and not having to travel in the dark and cold will improve academic success and mental health according to the education policy Punjab.
A Step Toward Student Safety and Smog Relief
The Punjab directive for winter school hours highlights a larger environmental and public-health issue. Cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala are currently experiencing dangerous levels of smog which make it unsafe for young children to commute at early morning hours. In pushing back the start time to the late morning, the municipality is attempting to reduce the exposure of pupils to dangerous air quality during the period of time that air pollution and levels are at their highest. Parents are advised to adjust their schedule slightly and make sure that their children are bundled up, as the later start time also will provide for better travel hours. Schools will be warned that in order to comply, they should avoid penalties and that they are expected to communicate directly with parents. This represents the government’s commitment to student health, environmental cleanliness and improved student focus during a difficult time of year in Punjab.
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