PESHAWAR – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has introduced a four-day working week for all public schools in the province as part of a cost-saving initiative.
The Department of Secondary and Elementary Education announced that Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will now be holidays, effective from April 1, 2026.
Officials said the change in school hours was prompted by rising fuel prices and supply constraints, aiming to reduce operational costs while maintaining effective educational delivery.
Under the new schedule, primary schools will operate from 7:30 am to 1:35 pm, middle schools from 7:30 am to 2:35 pm, and high and higher secondary schools will finish at 3:00 pm.
Authorities noted that the revised hours would not only cut expenses but also improve the overall functioning of the education system.
Meanwhile, schools in Punjab reopened for regular classes today (April 1, 2026).
Earlier, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat clarified that the hybrid system will not be implemented, and proposals for holding classes three or four days a week have been rejected.
Schools will operate on a full five-day schedule throughout the province.
Rana Sikandar Hayat also confirmed that 246 matriculation exam centers are being monitored via CCTV cameras to ensure transparency.
He added that changes are being made to the academic calendar, providing better preparation opportunities for students appearing in next year’s exams.
