Lahore (Web Desk): The Punjab government on Saturday officially prolonged the winter break for all government and privately run schools and colleges across the province, citing the persistent cold weather.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said the holidays have been extended by one more week to safeguard students’ health as temperatures continue to remain low.
He explained that the move was made after taking into account both the severity of the weather and public feedback.
Sharing the outcome of a public poll, Hayat said nearly 87 percent of participants supported continuing the holidays, while only about 13 percent wanted educational institutions to reopen on January 12.
According to figures released by the spokesperson, 154,178 people voted in favour of resuming classes on January 19, whereas 24,829 supported reopening on the earlier date.
Following the announcement, the minister directed all chief executive officers in the districts to ensure that the revised schedule is implemented without delay.
The minister later confirmed that the extended break applies to all educational institutions throughout Punjab.
Interestingly, just a day before this decision, the education minister had dismissed reports about any extension in winter holidays, stating that schools and colleges would reopen on January 12 as originally planned and calling a widely circulated notification claiming otherwise fake.
Winter vacations for both public and private educational institutions in Punjab began on December 22, 2025, and were initially due to conclude on January 11.