LAHORE: Students in Punjab schools will now enjoy two weekly holidays instead of one due to severe smog conditions in the province.
The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) announced changes in the schedule of its partner schools, adding Saturday as a holiday. Earlier, PEF schools only had Sunday off.
According to the new schedule, school hours will be from 8:45 am to 1:30 pm, while on Fridays, classes will end at 12:30 pm. The new timings will remain in effect until April 15, 2026.
Last month, the Punjab School Education Department had also adjusted timings in government schools due to severe smog.
Schools ran from 8:45 am to 1:30 pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:45 am to 12:30 pm on Fridays.
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Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said on social media that the changes were necessary to protect students’ health amid worsening smog conditions.
Meanwhile, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said that winds from India are increasing pollution levels in Lahore.
She added that the government has implemented strict measures to reduce smog and protect the public.
Air pollution in central Punjab, especially Lahore, has reached dangerous levels, making it harmful to breathe outdoors.
