In the current academic year, classes in Punjab schools and colleges have been conducted for just 116 days out of 298, according to a report by 24NewsHD TV on Tuesday.
Officials said a large number of holidays, including Saturdays, Sundays, summer, winter, gazetted, flood-related, war, and unannounced holidays, caused the loss of 182 academic days.
Authorities estimate that about 30 more classes will take place in January and February, leaving a total of 146 days of instruction for the year. Annual examinations are scheduled to begin in March.
Education experts note that at least 180 days of classes are required annually to complete the standard syllabus. Including examinations, a minimum of 210 days is considered necessary for effective curricular activities.
School owners suggested adjusting the academic calendar so that winter holidays begin in January instead of December. They believe this change could help increase the number of instructional days.
In response, the Punjab School Education Department has assured that the academic calendar will be revised starting from the next academic year to better accommodate classes and ensure sufficient teaching time.
The ongoing shortage of academic days has raised concerns among educators and parents. Many argue that missing so many classes may negatively impact students’ learning and preparation for exams. Officials stated that increasing teaching efficiency and revising the holiday schedule are key steps to address this issue.
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This development highlights the challenges faced by Punjab’s education system in balancing holidays, curricular requirements, and examination schedules. The government is under pressure to ensure students receive adequate instructional time to meet academic standards.
