KARACHI: The Sindh government has officially restored the six-day school week, abolishing the Saturday holiday in all public and private schools across the province with effect from August 1, 2026.
According to a notification issued by the School Education and Literacy Department, all educational institutions operating under its administrative control will observe classes from Monday to Saturday until further orders.
The notification states that the latest decision supersedes previous directives regarding the weekly school schedule, making Saturday a regular working day for schools throughout Sindh.
Officials said the move is intended to ensure continuity in teaching and learning and to improve students’ academic performance by increasing classroom instruction time.
With the implementation of the new policy, both government and private schools across Sindh will now follow a six-day academic week, replacing the previous five-day schedule.
Earlier, many teachers and education stakeholders had urged the provincial government to restore the six-day working week, arguing that the weekly Saturday holiday was disrupting the academic calendar.
According to educators, longer weekly breaks were affecting students’ learning continuity, classroom engagement, and overall academic progress.
They maintained that regular classroom interaction is essential for maintaining students’ focus and improving educational outcomes.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government is considering extending summer vacations in schools located in flood-affected districts as heavy monsoon rains continue to disrupt normal life across the province.
The proposal follows recommendations from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), which has advised the Punjab School Education Department not to reopen schools in flood-hit areas until conditions become safe for students and staff.
According to officials, schools in the affected districts may remain closed beyond mid-August and could potentially reopen on September 1, 2026, depending on the evolving flood situation.
A final decision will be made after authorities review weather forecasts and assess damage caused by ongoing monsoon flooding.
The Punjab government has also directed relevant departments to conduct inspections of schools and other public buildings damaged by heavy rains to ensure they are safe before reopening.
Officials said protecting the lives of students, teachers, and school staff remains the government’s top priority as rescue and recovery efforts continue in flood-affected areas.
The contrasting decisions highlight how provincial governments are responding differently to current educational challenges, with Sindh focusing on improving academic continuity through a six-day school week, while Punjab prioritizes student safety amid severe monsoon flooding.
