The Punjab government has moved to reduce summer vacations for schools and colleges across the province as part of efforts to bring uniformity to the academic calendar and raise education standards.
The decision follows recommendations from a committee formed on the instructions of the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court. The panel suggested a standard academic schedule that would require all public and private institutions in Punjab to complete 190 teaching days each year.
In a statement shared by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Lahore, it was stated that summer holidays will be cut by 36 days. Under the proposal, vacations will be reduced from nearly two and a half months to six weeks.
Officials say the step is aimed at improving learning outcomes and ensuring that course content is completed on time. Private school associations have also expressed support for the plan.
The committee held three meetings over the past four months and finalized its recommendations during its third session in Lahore, chaired by the Secretary of School Education.
In its report, the committee noted that the growing number of holidays in recent years has negatively affected the education system, particularly at higher levels where syllabi are often left incomplete, impacting student performance.
Private education representatives have welcomed the proposal, saying a consistent and balanced academic calendar will help improve teaching standards and allow students to complete their coursework more effectively.
Following the recommendations, the Punjab Education Curriculum and Testing Authority and the Director of Public Instruction for Elementary and Secondary Education will work on preparing a unified academic calendar.
The committee was formed during the hearing of a constitutional petition in which the Lahore High Court raised concerns over the rising number of holidays in educational institutions. The report is expected to be presented at the next court hearing, after which a final decision on the new academic calendar is likely.