Social media rumours regarding an extension of winter vacations in Punjab are false. Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat strongly rejected these claims on Monday. He confirmed that the government is not considering any proposal to extend the holidays.
Consequently, all public and private educational institutions across the province must reopen on January 12, 2026.
The Provincial Education Minister clarified the situation to curb misinformation. Earlier, the Ministry of Education announced the official winter vacation schedule. This break for schools and colleges began on December 22, 2025, and concludes on January 10, 2026.
Despite this clear notification, false news circulated online suggesting a change. The Minister dismissed these reports entirely.
However, a serious issue has emerged regarding compliance. Authorities observed that certain private educational institutions are ignoring the official orders. These schools have not issued formal notifications to avoid a paper trail.
Instead, they reportedly sent WhatsApp messages to students. These messages instructed students to resume classes early on January 6, 2026. This action is a clear violation of the government’s notified schedule.
This defiance has caused alarm among parents and education circles. They are urging the government to take immediate notice of the matter. Stakeholders are demanding that all private educational institutions strictly comply with the officially notified duration of winter vacations.
