KP schools shift to 4-day week; Punjab rejects move

LAHORE: A 4-day working model has been introduced in educational institutions, under which schools will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

According to the details, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Primary and Secondary Education Department has taken a major decision for government educational institutions across the province and introduced a 4-day working model.

Under this new decision, the weekly holiday system in schools has now been changed.

An official notification issued by the Education Department said that all government schools in the province will now have weekly holidays on Fridays and Saturdays. The aim of this new system is to make the educational process more organized and ensure saving of resources.

The notification clarified that this new schedule has been implemented immediately from April 1, 2026. Now all government educational institutions will continue teaching from Sunday to Thursday, while schools will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sources say that there is also a possibility of a slight increase in daily teaching hours to complete curricular activities during the 4-day academic week so that the academic hardship of the students can be prevented. The education department has directed all district officers to ensure strict implementation of this new schedule.

On the other hand, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat completely rejected the notifications of the 4-day academic week in schools.

He termed these news as ‘fake’ and fabricated and directed students and parents not to pay attention to rumors.

Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat clarified in his statement that the closure of educational institutions due to economic pressure has now ended and all schools will open as usual.

He urged the students to come to school and focus on their studies instead of believing any unverified notification.

According to the education department, no decision regarding online or hybrid classes is under consideration.

It may be recalled that educational institutions across Punjab were closed from March 10, a notification of which was issued by the Education Department on March 9. These holidays included Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, while the main purpose of this closure of schools was to reduce the ongoing economic pressure and transport costs in the country.

Officials say that after the closure till March 31, the teaching process has now been fully restored in all government and private schools. Parents and teachers have also welcomed the return of schools so that the educational problems of children can be addressed.