A notification circulating on social media regarding an extension of school holidays in Punjab has been clarified as false. Despite the rumors, the Punjab government has confirmed that there will be no extension of the winter holidays for schools in Lahore or other cities in the province. Schools are scheduled to reopen on January 13, following a 23-day winter break from December 23 to January 10.
The Department of Special Education in Punjab has clarified the operational hours for schools, which will be from 9 am to 2 pm, Monday through Thursday and Saturday, with Friday hours set from 9 am to 12 pm due to the ongoing cold weather. The decision was made in light of a cold wave affecting the region, but no changes have been made to the school holidays.
Weather forecasts predict cold and partly cloudy conditions across the province, with potential light rain and snow expected in Murree, Galliyat, and nearby areas. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has also warned of rain, wind, and thunderstorms in isolated areas such as Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, and Gujranwala. Despite these weather conditions, the scheduled reopening of schools will proceed as planned, dismissing any further speculation about an extension of the school holidays.
In contrast, the Education Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) extended winter holidays for all educational institutions in the province for an additional week. This decision was made due to the severe cold wave impacting the region, as temperatures have dropped significantly. The extension of school holidays in KP has raised concerns about the health of students, particularly those who travel to school early in the morning in freezing temperatures.