PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Primary and Secondary Education Department has issued an official notification implementing a four‑day working week for all government primary and secondary schools across the province, effective immediately from April 1, 2026.
Under the notification from the Directorate of Elementary and Secondary Education, all government schools will hold classes Sunday through Thursday and remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays. The move aims to make the academic calendar more organised and to conserve resources while maintaining curricular progress.
حکومت خیبر پختونخوا کا محکمہ تعلیم کو اپریل فول کا تحفہ۔
ہفتے میں تین دن چھٹیوں کے بدلے میں سکول میں اوقات کار کا دورانیہ 6 گھنٹے سے بڑھا کر ساڑھے سات گھنٹے کرنے کا مراسلہ۔
سوال یہ ہے کہ دور دراز سے آنے والے بچے کھانے پینے کا کیا کریں گے۔اور بھی مسائل ہوں گے۔#قومی_زبان pic.twitter.com/vslSFHt8Zo— Shafiq Buneri (@Shafiqbuneri76) April 1, 2026
Official daily time‑table details included in the notification (summary):
– Primary section (Grades I–V, full day)
– Assembly/Prayer: 07:30–07:40
– 1st Period onward, regular class blocks through: 01:00–01:30 (varies by school)
– Middle schools (Grades VI–VIII, full day)
– Assembly/Prayer: 07:30–07:40
– Class periods run through early afternoon (detailed period timings provided for each grade band)
– High and higher secondary schools (Grades IX–XII and Intermediate)
– Staggered start times and period lengths for morning and full‑day schedules
– Specific time slots for assemblies, lessons and breaks to meet curricular requirements
The notification also notes that daily teaching hours may be slightly extended where necessary so that the reduced number of school days does not disrupt completion of the syllabus. District education officers have been directed to enforce the new schedule and ensure schools adopt the prescribed time‑tables.
School administrators will issue revised, school‑specific timetables to parents and students reflecting the official period timings for each section. Officials said the change should give students and teachers two full consecutive days off each week while keeping classroom instruction on track.
The Directorate signed and circulated the notification to all relevant offices and instructed immediate implementation. Pupils welcomed the announcement, already smiling at the prospect of longer weekends while schools adjust to the updated schedules.
