Punjab Announces New School Timings from October 16, 2026: Official Notification

The School Education Department (SED), Government of the Punjab, has officially issued a notification regarding revised timings for all public schools across Punjab. Signed by Secretary School Education Muddassir Riaz Malik, the new schedule will remain in effect from October 16, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

This change affects thousands of government schools operating under both single-shift and double-shift systems, with separate schedules announced for morning and afternoon sessions, along with shorter hours on Fridays.

📅 Official Schedule Breakdown

Below is the complete timing breakdown for Single Shift and Double Shift / Afternoon public schools in Punjab:

1. Single Shift Schools

For schools operating a single session, the schedule is straightforward:

• Monday to Thursday: 8:45 AM – 1:30 PM
• Friday: 8:45 AM – 12:30 PM

2. Double Shift / Afternoon Schools

Schools running two shifts will follow these separate schedules:

💡 Important Note for Girls' Schools

According to the official notification, Concerned Chief Executive Officers (DEA) are authorized to adjust a 15-minute gap between opening and closing times for girls' schools within their districts for convenience.

📜 Notification Details

📸 Official Notification Image

You can view the official notification issued by the School Education Department (SED), Government of the Punjab, below:

Source: Official Facebook page of the School Education Department, Government of the Punjab. Tap the image to view full size.

📌 Key Takeaways for Parents and Students

• Effective Date: The new timings are applicable from October 16, 2026.
• End Date: The schedule will remain in force until March 31, 2027.
• Friday Changes: Note the earlier closing time of 12:30 PM for single-shift and morning-shift schools on Fridays.
• Compliance: All Chief Executive Officers (DEAs) have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the revised schedule.