Sindh Education Dept Reviews New Winter Vacation Plan

In response to growing concerns over shifting weather patterns—where peak cold now occurs in January rather than December—the Sindh Education and Literacy Department is considering a proposal to adjust winter vacation dates starting with the 2026–2027 academic session.

According to education officials, the plan is based on recent climate observations. The matter will be discussed by the department’s Steering Committee during its next meeting. If approved, winter vacations across the province, including Karachi, would be observed in January rather than the final weeks of December.

Officials familiar with the situation reported to private media outlets that December has seen relatively milder temperatures in recent years. Conversely, January has seen an increase in extreme weather events, such as strong winds and single-digit temperatures. Under the current academic calendar, schools must resume classes on January 1st, frequently exposing students to the harshest winter conditions.

For the current academic year, schools reopened just as the cold snap peaked. To address this, Education Minister Sardar Shah approved a temporary adjustment to school schedules. Under a special notification, school hours were modified for two weeks—from January 12 to January 26—with classes beginning at 9 a.m.

The department has now decided to formally present a long-term solution to the Steering Committee ahead of the next academic year. If the proposal is accepted, winter vacations across Sindh would take place during the first ten days of January 2027.