Punjab minister seeks public opinion on school reopening

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat has sought public opinion, asking when schools and colleges should reopen in Punjab.

Earlier, he had said that schools and colleges across the province will reopen on January 12 at their scheduled time after the winter holidays.

He had advised students and parents to avoid rumours and misleading news regarding the holidays.

He said the decision to restart classes on January 12 remains unchanged, noting that winter holidays had already provided a break for students and staff.

Earlier on November 19, 2025, the Punjab government had officially announced winter holidays for schools and other educational institutions across the province.

According to a notification issued by the Provincial Education Department, the winter break will start on December 23, 2025 and continue until January 11, 2026.

The public opinion has been sought as dense fog continues to blanket large parts of Punjab, causing low visibility and travel disruptions, particularly on highways and main roads.

Sources said that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and local administrations are monitoring weather conditions closely and have advised motorists to exercise caution during low-visibility hours.

Authorities have also instructed schools to take necessary safety measures to ensure students can reach campuses safely during foggy mornings.