Punjab School Timings Reduced to Only 2 Hours for Winter Season – Punjab SBA Schedule, Winter Vacations & School of Eminence Application Guide
The Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority (PEIMA) and the Punjab School Education Department have jointly announced major updates for students, teachers, school owners, and parents for the winter season 2025–26. These updates include:
- Revised school timings reduced to only 2 hours
- Complete date sheet for Mid-Term School-Based Assessment (SBA)
- Winter vacations schedule for all public and private schools
- Application process for School of Eminence Branches in Punjab
These major decisions aim to ensure students’ safety during extreme cold, maintain academic continuity, and streamline the assessment system across the province.
This detailed article covers school timings, SBA 2025–26 schedule, vacation dates, School of Eminence application requirements, and frequently asked questions.
Punjab Reduces School Timings to Only 2 Hours for Winter Season
The Punjab School Education Department has officially reduced school working hours for winter due to harsh weather conditions. These new timings apply to all public and private schools across the province.
New Winter School Timings (Effective from 8 December 2025)
| Shift | Timings |
|---|---|
| Morning Shift | 9:30 am – 11:30 am |
| Afternoon Shift | 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
| Friday Afternoon Shift | 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm |
These timings ensure minimal exposure to early-morning cold weather and maintain academic learning within a safe time window.
Why Did Punjab Reduce School Timings?
- Unusually low temperature forecasts across the province
- Health risk for children during early morning travel
- Fog and smog causing visibility and respiratory issues
- To synchronize teaching hours with the Punjab SBA calendar
- Prevent increased absenteeism during winter season
The government has directed all institutions to strictly follow the updated timings, warning that violations will result in penalties for school management.
Punjab Announces Complete SBA Date Sheet for Grades 1 to 8
Along with the revised school timings, the Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority has released the complete date sheet for School-Based Assessment (SBA) Mid-Term 2025–26.
Punjab SBA Mid-Term Exam Schedule (Grades 1–8)
- First SBA Test Date: 12 December 2025
- Applicable to: All public and private schools
- Grades included: 1 to 8
- Uniform schedule: No school is allowed to change the dates
Why Are SBA Exams Important?
School-Based Assessments help:
- Improve learning outcomes
- Reduce dependency on board exams
- Track student performance every term
- Standardize assessment methods across Punjab
The SBA date sheet has been made mandatory for all districts to ensure unified evaluation across the province.
Punjab Announces Winter Vacations Schedule 2025–26
The Punjab Government has officially issued the winter vacation schedule for all schools.
Punjab Winter Vacations (Official Notification)
| Description | Dates |
|---|---|
| Winter Vacations Start | 23 December 2025 |
| Winter Vacations End | 10 January 2026 |
| Schools Reopen | 13 January 2026 |
Authorities clarified that all schools—public and private—must follow the same schedule.
No institution is allowed to shorten or extend holidays on its own.
School of Eminence Branch Application – Complete Guide for School Owners
The Punjab government is offering an excellent opportunity to school owners who wish to upgrade their institutions into School of Eminence branches.
School of Eminence is a high-standard model created to uplift education quality through:
- Digital learning
- Smart classrooms
- Advanced teaching methodologies
- Enhanced infrastructure
- Quality assurance systems
Who Can Apply?
Licensed school owners who meet the quality benchmarks defined by PEIMA.
Eligibility Criteria for School of Eminence
School owners must ensure:
- Adequate building space and facilities
- Certified teaching staff
- Strong academic performance records
- IT-enabled classroom environment
- Compliance with Punjab School Education policies
How to Apply for School of Eminence Branch? – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Visit the official PEIMA portal.
Step 2: Select the “School of Eminence Application” section.
Step 3: Fill in all required institutional details.
Step 4: Upload required documents (building layout, staff records, certifications).
Step 5: Submit application for evaluation.
Step 6: PEIMA will visit the school for inspection.
Step 7: Final approval will be granted after fulfilling all standards.
Documents Required
- School registration certificate
- Owner’s CNIC
- Building safety certificate
- Teacher qualification records
- Student enrollment report
- Fee structure
- IT facilities confirmation
- Academic performance data
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Impact of New Timings on Students and Teachers
1. Reduced Health Risks
Morning cold can cause flu, fever, and breathing issues among children. Revised timings ensure safe travel.
2. Better Energy Levels in Students
Later start time improves cognitive performance and reduces absenteeism.
3. Improved Safety
Fog-related road accidents are higher in winter; afternoon shifts help avoid early morning travel.
4. Smooth SBA Preparation
Shorter timings allow schools to focus on exam preparation rather than full-day activities.
Instructions Issued to All Schools
Punjab School Education Department has directed:
- All DEAs (District Education Authorities) to supervise compliance
- No school should conduct extended classes
- No academic or co-curricular activity before or after designated hours
- All SBA exams should follow provincial schedule
- Weekly monitoring by district officers
Violations will lead to warnings, fines, or cancellation of school registration.
Public and Private Schools Must Follow the Same Timings
The notification clearly states that the new timings apply to both:
- Government schools
- Private schools
No exemption will be given to any institution regardless of category.
Benefits for Parents and Students
For Parents:
- Safe pick-up and drop-off timings
- Less burden on early morning routine
- Reduced risk due to smog and cold weather
For Students:
- Improved attendance
- Better focus during school hours
- Convenient exam preparation time
- Health protection and safety
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Key Highlights of the Punjab Winter Education Plan 2025–26
- ✔ SBA mid-term exams start from 12 December 2025
- ✔ All schools must follow the same exam schedule
- ✔ Winter school timings reduced to 2 hours per shift
- ✔ Morning: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
- ✔ Afternoon: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- ✔ Winter vacations from 23 Dec 2025 to 10 Jan 2026
- ✔ Schools reopen on 13 Jan 2026
- ✔ School of Eminence application process launched for school owners
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why were Punjab school timings reduced to only 2 hours?
Due to extreme cold, fog, and health risks, the government introduced shorter hours for children’s safety.
2. Will these timings apply to private schools too?
Yes, both public and private schools must strictly follow the same schedule.
3. When do winter vacations start in Punjab 2025?
Winter vacations start on 23 December 2025.
4. When will Punjab schools reopen after winter break?
Schools will reopen on 13 January 2026.
5. What is the first date of SBA mid-term exams?
The first SBA test will be held on 12 December 2025.
