Punjab Government Prolongs Winter Vacation for Schools and Colleges Amid Intense Cold Wave
The Punjab government has announced a one-week extension to the winter holiday for all public and private educational institutions across the province due to the ongoing severe cold weather conditions.
Extension Details and Public Response
On Saturday, Punjab’s Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat revealed that the decision to prolong the break was made in consideration of both the harsh weather and the well-being of students. The winter vacation, initially set to conclude on January 11, 2026, will now end on January 19, 2026.
The announcement followed a public survey which showed significant support for the extension:
- Approximately 87% of respondents favored keeping schools closed for an additional week.
- About 13% advocated for reopening schools on the previously scheduled date of January 12.
A total of 154,178 votes backed reopening on January 19, contrasting with 24,829 votes for the January 12 reopening.
Implementation and Official Statements
Minister Hayat has directed all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across various districts to ensure that the extended winter vacation policy is fully implemented.
In a statement to Geo News, the Education Minister reaffirmed that the decision applies to all schools and colleges throughout Punjab. He also addressed earlier misinformation, clarifying that prior rumors of an extension were incorrect and that notifications circulating before the official announcement were fake.
Background and Previous Schedule
The winter holidays began on December 22, 2025, with the original plan for schools and colleges to resume classes on January 12, 2026. This sudden change reflects the provincial government’s responsiveness to challenging weather and public sentiment.
