Sindh Schools Extend Winter Hours Amid Severe Chill

In response to the prevailing cold weather conditions, the Sindh School Education Department has extended the decision to start schools at 9 am until February 4. This decision was announced by Secretary School Education Zahid Ali Abbasi in a notification issued on January 10. Initially, revised school timings were set to end on January 26; however, this deadline has now been further delayed.

Haider Ali, Chairman of the All Sindh Private Schools and Colleges Association, welcomed the extension, citing it as a prudent measure by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah aimed at protecting students from harsh weather. He urged immediate meetings with the Steering Committee or its sub-committee to finalize academic calendars for the year 2026.

Haider Ali emphasized the importance of timely decisions regarding examination schedules, board examinations, results, new admissions, the commencement of the academic year, vacations, and other key academic matters. Additionally, he highlighted the need for an early issuance of a uniform examination syllabus and paper specifications to facilitate effective preparation by examination boards, teachers, and students.

It should be recalled that on January 10, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah directed the adjustment of school hours in response to severe cold weather conditions. Both public and private schools would open at 9 am, while closing times remained unchanged.

In parallel, the Sindh Education and Literacy Department is currently considering a revision of the winter vacation schedule for academic session 2026-27. This proposal is based on observed shifting weather patterns in recent years and aims to address the increasing severity of cold weather in January rather than December. If approved, this change would see winter vacations in Sindh, including Karachi, scheduled for January instead of the last ten days of December.