The Punjab Higher Education Department issued a notification extending the four-day week policy to all public and private colleges and universities in the province. Schools had already moved to the same schedule earlier on April 1.
The Punjab government has extended its four-day academic week to colleges and universities. The Higher Education Department issued a formal notification on April 1, 2026, directing all public and private colleges and universities across the province to operate on a four-day schedule. The move came hours after the School Education Department issued a similar order for schools.
Under the school notification, all public and private schools in Punjab will now remain closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Classes will run Monday through Thursday. Single-shift schools will operate from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Double-shift schools will end their morning session at 12:30 PM, with the second shift running from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM. The Higher Education Department has applied the same weekly structure to colleges and universities, though specific timings for higher education institutions were not detailed in the initial notification.
The decision follows a period of extended closures. On March 9, the Punjab government shut all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, from March 10 to March 31 due to the global fuel crisis triggered by the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Dawn reported on March 30 that Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed schools would reopen on April 1 with a five-day week. However, the notification issued on April 1 instead introduced a four-day schedule.
There is some confusion around the notification. ProPakistani reported on April 1 that no official confirmation had come from Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat regarding the circulating document. Dawn also reported the Punjab government had called a similar notification “fake” earlier in the week, before the new schedule was formally issued.
Media also reported that on April 2 that schools, colleges, and universities now have the option to hold online or in-person classes on the weekly holiday.
The education department stated the revised schedule is intended to improve the education system and make teaching more effective. The energy savings from closing thousands of institutions an extra day each week are also a factor, given the ongoing fuel pressures across the country.
This policy affects millions of students and their families across Punjab. If you are a parent or student in the province, check with your specific institution for any additional schedule details.
