According to the new schedule, announced by Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on Sunday, all schools will now open at 8:45am and close at 1:30pm. Teachers, students, and parents have been directed to follow the new timings.
As per notification, single-shift schools will operate from 8:45am to 1:30pm, while on Fridays classes will end at 12:30pm. In double-shift schools, the first shift will run from 8:45am to 1:30pm and the second shift from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Teachers have been instructed to remain on duty from 8:30am to 2:00pm, and from 8:30am to 12:30pm on Fridays.
Winter School timing
8:45 to 1:30 pm
— Rana Sikandar Hayat (@RanaSikandarH) October 26, 2025
Schools will also open on alternate Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00 noon. The department has allowed district CEOs a margin of 15 minutes to adjust timings according to local conditions and directed strict implementation of the new schedule.
Officials said the decision was made after reviewing the increasing smog levels and the seasonal drop in temperature. The Education Department stated that the change aims to protect children from exposure to thick morning fog and hazardous air quality, which peaks in early hours during the ongoing pollution crisis.
The Education Department emphasised that the new winter schedule is part of precautionary efforts to minimise health risks for both students and staff. The department also noted that this timing adjustment will remain in place until further notice or until the weather and pollution situation improves.
{{pdf}}
Lahore among most polluted cities in the world
Lahore the capital of Punjab is currently among the most polluted cities in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in several parts of the city has crossed 400, falling into the ‘hazardous’ category. Areas such as Ravi Road and Township have recorded some of the highest readings in recent days, while most urban centres of Punjab, including Faisalabad and Gujranwala, remain under heavy smog.
The air quality data shows that the concentration of PM2.5 fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs is over twenty times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe limit.
Environmental experts warn that Lahore’s smog season which usually begins in October, is likely to intensify in the coming weeks as temperature inversions trap pollutants near the surface. The main sources of this pollution include vehicle exhaust, industrial smoke, construction dust, and the burning of crop residue in agricultural areas. Low wind speeds and cool nights further worsen the situation by preventing the dispersal of toxic air.
Doctors and health professionals have expressed serious concern over the impact of this pollution on students, especially younger children who are more vulnerable to respiratory infections. Schools have been advised to reduce outdoor activities, ensure proper indoor ventilation, and monitor students showing symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or eye irritation.
Parents have also been urged to send their children to school with protective masks and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure during morning hours.
Environmental groups urge stricter anti-pollution measures
Meanwhile, environmental organisations continue to press the government to enforce stricter anti-pollution measures. They have called for a ban on burning agricultural residue, tighter emission controls on factories, and improved traffic management to reduce vehicle smoke. Public health experts have also suggested declaring ‘smog holidays’ if poor air quality remains dangerously high.
With the air turning thicker each day, the people of Lahore and other cities are left hoping for rain or stronger winds to clear the skies. Until then, the revised school hours stand as a small but necessary step to protect students from the heavy haze that now hangs over much of Punjab.