With the onset of the winter season, the Punjab Education Department has prepared a proposal for new working hours of schools, which has been sent to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for final approval. After approval, its official notification will be issued soon.
According to the new schedule, the morning assembly in schools across Punjab will be at 8:30 am, while academic activities will start by 8:45 am. The timings of primary schools have been fixed till 1:30 pm, while the timings of middle and high schools have been fixed till 2:00 pm. Schools will remain open from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Fridays.
On the other hand, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has denied the rumours circulating on social media and clarified that the weekly holiday is not being abolished; schools will remain closed on Saturdays.
According to the Education Department, this change in working hours has been made to protect children from the morning chill in the cold season.
