Winter vacation has been extended in Punjab till January 17, 2026 (Saturday), given an additional week due to the severe cold wave and the health concerns of the students and teachers. It is a major relief for students, parents, and teachers across the province. All government and private schools and colleges will reopen on 19th January 2026 (Monday). This decision was taken after extensive public feedback and consultations at the provincial level. The Minister of Education shared this news on his Facebook page.
The announcement has brought clarity after days of speculation, as students eagerly awaited confirmation regarding the reopening of schools and colleges. Below is a complete breakdown of the decision, official statements, notification timeline, and its impact on educational institutions.
Public Opinion Played a Key Role in the Decision
Last night, Punjab’s Minister for Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, conducted a public poll through his official social media accounts such as X and facebook to gather opinions on whether winter vacations should be extended. The response was overwhelming, with nearly 150,000 people participating in the survey.
According to the results, around 90% of respondents supported extending the winter vacations, citing the intense cold weather and its potential impact on children’s health. This public engagement played a significant role in shaping the government’s final decision, demonstrating a people-centric approach to policymaking.
Winter Vacation 2026 Extended Due to Severe Cold Weather
Due to the continuous drop in temperature and harsh weather conditions across Punjab, the government has decided to extend Winter Vacation 2026 by one additional week. The decision applies to:
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Government schools
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Private schools
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Colleges
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Other educational institutions
This step has been taken primarily to protect students from health risks such as flu, respiratory infections, and cold-related illnesses that tend to increase during extreme winter conditions.
Winter Vacation Extended in Punjab 2026 Notification
The Winter vacation extended in Punjab 2026 notification issued by the School Education Department, Government of Punjab, a high-level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, with meteorology experts and concerned officials. After reviewing the weather situation, it was decided to extend the winter vacations for schools.
As per the official notification, winter vacations have been extended from 10th January 2026 to 17th January 2026. All public and private schools across Punjab will now reopen on 19th January 2026 (Monday). This decision applies uniformly to government as well as private educational institutions.
The notification further directs all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of District Education Authorities (DEAs) to ensure strict implementation of these instructions. Any school found violating the orders will face strict administrative action.
The notification will clearly outline:
Winter vacations for all Public & Private schools in Punjab are extended from:
10th January 2026 (Saturday) to
17th January 2026 (Saturday)
All schools (Public & Private) will reopen on 19th January 2026 (Monday)
