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–Punjab orders five-day in-person classes after three-week closure, ending uncertainty for millions of students across the province
BeNewz Report
LAHORE: Public and private schools across Punjab will reopen on April 1 with full in-person classes after a three-week closure, provincial authorities said on Monday.
Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed that all institutions would resume regular academic schedules, rejecting proposals for hybrid learning or reduced working days.
Schools, colleges, and universities in Lahore and other districts will operate five days a week, restoring the standard academic routine. The minister said students must return physically, ruling out any immediate shift to online education.
یکم اپریل سے ہفتے میں پانچ دن باقاعدہ کلاسز کے ذریعے تعلیمی اداروں میں تعلیمی سرگرمیوں کا دوبارہ آغاز کیا جارہاہے۔ pic.twitter.com/hzR7TGOk99
— Rana Sikandar Hayat (@RanaSikandarH) March 30, 2026
The closure, which began on March 10, was introduced as a temporary measure to ease economic pressure from rising fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East. Transport expenses had surged sharply, affecting families and school operations across the province.
Pakistan’s inflation has remained volatile in recent months, with transport and fuel costs contributing significantly to household expenses, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s latest economic outlook. Education disruptions have often followed such economic shocks, especially in densely populated provinces like Punjab, which hosts more than 60 million students across public and private institutions, according to provincial education estimates.
During the break, some private institutions experimented with online classes, but access disparities limited effectiveness. Pakistan’s internet penetration stands at around 54%, as per Pakistan Telecommunication Authority data for 2025, leaving millions of students without reliable connectivity for virtual learning.
Officials dismissed circulating notifications suggesting a four-day school week or extended holidays, calling them misleading. Authorities reiterated that all institutions must adhere to the five-day schedule without exception.
The decision signals a return to normalcy after repeated disruptions in Pakistan’s education sector in recent years. Schools nationwide faced prolonged closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by intermittent shutdowns due to smog, floods, and economic pressures. According to UNESCO estimates, Pakistani students lost several months of classroom learning between 2020 and 2023, widening learning gaps across income groups.
Education experts have repeatedly warned that prolonged closures reduce academic performance and increase dropout rates, particularly among low-income households. Punjab’s government has recently prioritized maintaining academic continuity, aligning with broader federal efforts to stabilize education delivery.
Parents and teachers have been advised to prepare for regular schedules starting Wednesday, though exact timings may vary by institution. District Education Authorities will issue localized instructions where needed.
The reopening comes as authorities aim to complete the academic year without further interruptions, amid ongoing economic uncertainty and policy adjustments. Analysts say sustained classroom learning will be critical for improving educational outcomes in Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province by population.
