Punjab proposes more school days, fewer holidays to boost learning

LAHORE: Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has proposed important changes in the academic calendar to improve educational standards and complete the curriculum on time.

Under these proposals, consideration is being given to increasing the number of teaching days in an academic year to 180 to 190 days so as to reduce the educational loss of students.

According to the Education Minister, the teaching time is affected due to excessive holidays in the current system, in view of which a proposal to reduce the summer vacation by 15 to 20 days and the winter vacation by 5 to 6 days is under consideration.

Furthermore, a proposal has also been made to open schools every other week (alternate week) to organize the academic session.

According to officials, separate academic calendars will be prepared for Matric and O/A level students so that the curriculum can be completed according to the schedule of international examinations.

It should be remembered that in March 2026, educational activities were affected by the prolonged closure of schools due to the regional situation and fuel crisis, for which these measures are being taken to compensate.