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Punjab government implements new school schedules and testing mandates
The Punjab School Education Department has announced revised winter school timings for all public schools, effective from October 16, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Single-shift schools will operate from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with an earlier dismissal at 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. Double-shift schools will follow specific morning and afternoon schedules, with Friday sessions ending at 12:30 p.m. for the morning shift and 4:30 p.m. for the afternoon shift.
In a separate move to address declining academic performance, the Directorate of Public Instruction has mandated daily 10-minute tests on previous lessons and full monthly assessments for government school students. This directive follows a significant drop in Class 9 pass rates, which fell to 46.51 percent in the Lahore board. Schools are now required to maintain detailed student-by-student records of these assessments to identify learning gaps early. District education authorities are tasked with monitoring compliance and submitting reports to the Secretary of School Education.
Entities
Directorate of Public Instruction · Maryam Nawaz Sharif · Muddassir Riaz Malik · Punjab · Punjab School Education Department
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chief executive officers of district education authorities must submit compliance reports regarding assessments. www.lhrtimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Government schools must conduct daily 10-minute tests on the previous day's lesson. www.lhrtimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Schools are required to perform a full assessment every month. www.lhrtimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Single-shift schools will close at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. dailymagazine.com.pk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Lahore board's Class 9 pass rate fell to 46.51 percent. www.lhrtimes.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Punjab public schools will follow new winter timings from October 16, 2026, to March 31, 2027. dailymagazine.com.pk