In a major relief for students and parents braving the intense winter chill, the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department has officially extended the revised school timings across province. All public and private school will now continue to open at 9:00 AM until February 4, 2026.
This decision follow the persistent cold wave that has see temperatures in Karachi dip as low as 6.5°C, with even harsher conditions reported in rural and remote districts of Sindh.
ASPSCA Recommendations and the Official Extension
Initially All Sindh Private Schools and Colleges Association (ASPSCA) has urged the government to maintain the 9:00 AM start time until January 31. The associations chairman, Hyder Ali, highlighted that the severe early-morning cold were significantly affecting students health and daily life.
Key Highlights of the New Notification:
- Effective Dates: The 9:00 AM start time is extend from the previous deadline of January 26 to February 4 2026.
- Uniformity: The directive apply to all educational institutions, including government-runs and private schools in Karachi and the rest of Sindh.
- Closing Times: While the opening hours have been pushed back, the school dismissal time remains unchanged as per the regular academic schedule.
“The decision was taken on the directives of Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah to ensure the health and safety of students during this intensified cold spell,” stated a spokesperson for the education department.
Demands for Exam Syllabi and Academic Planning
Beyond the weather-related adjustments, the ASPSCA have called for urgent administrative clarity. With the academics year drawing to the close, schools administrator are concerned about the limits time remaining for exam preparation.
Major Concerns Raised by Educators:
- Uniform Examination Syllabus: The association has demanded the early issuance of standardized syllabi and paper specifications.
- Steering Committee Meeting: A call for an immediate meeting of the Private Schools Steering Committee to finalize the academic calendar for 2026.
- Future Vacation Shifts: There is an ongoing proposal to shift winter vacations to January starting from the 2026-27 session, as January has consistently proven to be colder than December in recent years.
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What This Means for Parents and Students
The extension of the winter school timings provides a much-needed cushion against the Siberian winds currently sweeping through the port city. However, parents are advised to keeps a eye on official channels as Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predict further temperature dropped and occasional winds over the coming week.
Quick Safety Tip for the Cold Wave:
- Ensure student are dressed in multiple layer.
- Monitors official school WhatsApp group for any localized transports adjustment.
- Prepare for the potentially revised examinations scheduleed once the steerings committee meet.
Conclusion
The privates schools winter timings extensions are the proactive step toward student welfare. As the education department monitor the weather, the focus now shifted to the upcoming exams season and the much awaited “uniform paper patterns.”
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Sindh education notifications and weather alerts.