The Punjab School Education Department is intensifying efforts to finalize a comprehensive academic calendar featuring 190 working days for implementation across the province. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns from various quarters regarding extended holidays during both summer and winter seasons, which have been criticized for disrupting educational continuity.
Directives for a Unified Academic Framework
In a recent high-level meeting, Muhammad Iqbal, the Special Secretary of the Punjab School Education Department, issued clear instructions to the Punjab Education Curriculum Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) along with the directors of public instruction for elementary and secondary education. The directive mandates the preparation of a yearly academic calendar that ensures schools operate for a minimum of 190 days, aiming to standardize schedules and enhance instructional time.
Legal Backing and Committee Formation
This move follows a significant judicial intervention by Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench. In September of last year, Justice Hassan directed the formation of a special committee under the supervision of the Secretary of School Education Punjab. The committee's primary objective is to develop a unanimous academic calendar that maximizes working days in Punjab's schools, addressing petitions filed against prolonged vacations.
Abrar Ahmed, President of the North Punjab chapter of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA), highlighted that the recent meeting in Lahore marked the third session of this special committee. The gathering saw participation from key stakeholders, including Mian Imran Masood, former Punjab education minister and president of the Pakistan Education Council, APPSMA Central President Kashif Adeeb Jawedani, and representatives from various educational institutions and government bodies.
Concerns from Private School Representatives
During the meeting, representatives from private schools expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in formulating a unified academic calendar with minimal holidays, as per the Lahore High Court's directives. They pointed out disparities, such as Punjab schools closing for a month during winter vacations compared to just 10 days in Islamabad, arguing that this inconsistency undermines educational equity.
Judicial Proceedings and Petitions
The impetus for this calendar reform stems from a petition filed in August last year by a Class-VII student through his father in the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court. The petition challenged notifications issued on August 7 and 8, 2025, by the Punjab School Education Department, which extended the summer break until August 31 instead of the originally scheduled reopening on August 15.
Justice Jawad Hassan, hearing the case, rejected arguments from government lawyers questioning the petitioner's standing, emphasizing that the child's right to education was violated. The petitioner, Denial Hussain, contended that extending holidays further reduces an already limited academic calendar, with only 187 days allocated for the 2025-26 session and effective instructional days dwindling to a maximum of 145 after accounting for various breaks and non-teaching days.
Discrimination and Provincial Disparities
The petition also highlighted discriminatory practices, noting that schools in Islamabad and other provinces had resumed operations after summer breaks, while Punjab deviated from its traditional practice of reopening on August 15. This deviation, occurring for the first time, raised concerns about consistency and fairness in educational scheduling across regions.
As the Punjab School Education Department moves forward with finalizing the 190-day calendar, stakeholders remain vigilant, hoping for a balanced approach that addresses legal mandates while considering the practical needs of students and educators. The outcome is expected to set a precedent for academic planning in the province, ensuring that educational objectives are met without unnecessary interruptions.
