Viral notification claims extension of winter vacations in Punjab schools

LAHORE: A notification circulating on social media claims that the Punjab government has extended winter vacations in all public and private schools across the province due to severe weather conditions.

The document states that holidays have been extended from January 10 to January 17, 2026, and that schools will reopen on January 19, with instructions for district education authorities to ensure strict compliance.

However, no official announcement confirming such an extension has been issued by the Punjab government so far. There is also no notification available on the official platforms of the School Education Department or the Punjab government to support the claim made in the circulating document.

Education-related announcements in Punjab are formally communicated through official notifications and public statements by the provincial education leadership.

In recent days, Rana Sikandar Hayat, who oversees the School Education Department, addressed speculation surrounding winter vacations and rejected reports of any extension.

In a public statement shared earlier this week, the education minister clarified that schools and colleges would reopen as scheduled and urged the public not to rely on unverified information. He stated: “School & College Holidays Will NOT Be Extended. Please avoid fake news.”

As of now, there has been no change announced to the existing winter vacation schedule, and parents, students, and school administrations have been advised to rely only on official government channels for accurate information.