Summer Holidays extended till August 31 amid new academic year changes

PESHAWAR – Summer vacations have officially been announced for educational institutions in the plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid scorching heat.

The provincial Education Department announced the summer holidays will now be observed from 22 May 2026 to 31 August 2026. Previously issued notifications had stated that the summer vacations in the plain areas were scheduled to begin on 1 June 2026 and continue until 31 August 2026.

However, the schedule has been revised and advanced. Authorities decided to begin the holidays earlier, starting from 22 May 2026, due to the convergence of several holidays. These include the Eid holidays as well as the regular weekly holidays (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) falling on 22 May, which collectively influenced the decision to extend the break from that earlier date.

As a result, students in the plain areas of the province will now begin their summer vacations earlier than initially planned, while the end date of 31 August 2026 remains unchanged.

Earlier this month, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced 3-month summer vacation for schools across the province. The holidays will start on May 22, 2026, and end on August 23, 2026, with schools reopening on August 24.

The decision was made due to a severe heatwave affecting the region. Earlier, authorities had already advised schools to adjust timings or consider early closures and issued safety guidelines, including stopping outdoor activities, ensuring drinking water availability, and maintaining proper cooling and ventilation in classrooms.