Punjab public schools get new timings from October 16: full schedule for single and double shifts

Key takeaways

• Punjab's School Education Department has issued new timings for all public schools in the province.
• The new schedule starts on Thursday, 16 October 2026 and stays in place until 31 March 2027.
• Single-shift schools: 8:45am to 1:30pm (Monday to Thursday), 8:45am to 12:30pm (Friday).
• The schedule covers single-shift, double-shift and afternoon/evening schools.
• District education chiefs may adjust the 15-minute gap between boys' and girls' school timings locally.

The new timings

Friday afternoon-shift timing is as reported by Geo News.

What the notification says

According to the notification issued on Wednesday, 14 October, the chief executive officers of District Education Authorities (DEAs) across Punjab must make sure schools follow the revised schedule. Geo News and Pakistan Today both reported the same timings.

The department has also allowed DEA chiefs to adjust the 15-minute difference between the opening and closing times of girls' schools in their districts, based on local needs.

Why it matters

The new schedule applies to every public school in Punjab, so it affects students, parents, teachers and school transport operators across the province. Because it runs until the end of March, it covers the winter months.

What parents should do

• Check with your child's school for the exact timing, especially for girls' schools, where districts may shift times by up to 15 minutes.
• Update van or rickshaw pick-up times from Thursday, 16 October.
• The notification covers public schools; private schools should be asked directly about their timings.

What happens next

The schedule will remain in force until 31 March 2027. Any change after that would need a new notification from the department.