The Government of Punjab has officially announced a four-day school week for all public and private institutions. The decision, made by the Punjab School Education Department, came into effect on April 1, 2026.
Under this new policy, schools will remain closed every Friday. This creates a three-day weekend for students and teachers, giving them more time to rest and spend with family. Officials believe this step can help improve both mental health and overall learning outcomes.
To manage the reduced school days, timings from Monday to Thursday have been extended. Single-shift schools will operate for longer hours during the day, while double-shift schools will follow adjusted morning and afternoon schedules.
Education experts say that shorter school weeks have shown positive results in some countries. Students often feel less tired and more focused during class. Teachers also get extra time to plan lessons and manage workload better.
However, some parents have raised concerns about longer school hours and childcare on Fridays. The government has said it will monitor the policy closely and make changes if needed.
