The winter holidays are coming to an end in Punjab, and with it, a set of new school timings designed to accommodate the chilly conditions that have gripped the region. The Department of Special Education has introduced revised school hours to ensure the safety and comfort of students during the ongoing cold spell.

Schools across Punjab will resume operations on January 13, 2025, following the winter break. Special education institutions, which have been closed since December 20, will now operate on adjusted timings. From Monday through Thursday and Saturday, these schools will open at 9:00 AM and close at 2:00 PM. However, on Fridays, school hours will be shorter, with institutions closing at 12:00 PM to give students and staff a chance to rest and stay warm during the cold afternoons.

As an additional measure to cope with the persistent cold weather, the Department of Special Education has relaxed the uniform policy for students. Starting January 13 and continuing until February 15, 2025, students will be permitted to wear warmer clothing to protect against the lower temperatures. This decision comes after the Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted continued cold and dry conditions in the region.

The weather is expected to remain chilly, with dense fog in parts of northeast Punjab and a possibility of light rain and thunderstorms affecting southeastern Punjab and parts of eastern Sindh. These conditions are likely to influence local traffic and daily life, further prompting the need for changes in school timings.

All public and private schools in Punjab are also slated to reopen on January 13, and no further extensions to the winter holidays have been announced. Despite the cold weather, educational institutions are resuming as planned, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring that students return to their studies in a timely manner.

With these adjustments, the provincial government is demonstrating a proactive approach in ensuring the safety and well-being of students while minimizing the disruption caused by the cold wave. The revised school timings and uniform flexibility provide much-needed relief to students and teachers alike, offering a more manageable routine during this unusually cold winter period.