The 2026‑27 school calendar in Pakistan varies by province, detailing start dates, mid‑year breaks, exam windows and summer vacations. This guide outlines each province’s schedule, highlights national holidays, and offers quick answers for parents planning around school closures.

Pakistan school calendar 2026‑27: holidays, exams and vacations province by province

The academic year 2026‑27 is set to begin in early August, with each province publishing its own timetable for holidays, examinations and summer breaks. Parents, teachers and students will need to track a patchwork of dates that reflect regional festivals, provincial policies and national public holidays. This guide breaks down the key milestones province by province, helping families plan ahead for school closures, exam windows and vacation periods.

National framework and provincial autonomy

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training issues a broad framework that outlines the start of the academic year, the minimum number of teaching days and the timing of national holidays such as Pakistan Day (23 March) and Independence Day (14 August). However, provinces retain the authority to adjust term dates to accommodate local festivals, climate considerations and provincial examinations.

Because of this autonomy, the exact start and end dates can differ by up to two weeks between Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The framework also requires a minimum of 180 teaching days, which provinces meet by inserting make‑up days after major holidays.

Punjab: term dates and major breaks

Punjab’s education department announced that the 2026‑27 school year will open on 2 August 2026 for most public and private schools. The first term runs until 31 October, after which a mid‑year break coincides with the Islamic festival of Eid‑ul‑Adha (approximately 17 December).

Following the Eid break, classes resume on 5 January 2027 and continue until the end of the final examinations in late April. Summer vacation begins on 1 May and lasts until the first week of August, giving students roughly three months of rest.

National holidays observed: 23 March, 14 August, 25 December.
Provincial holidays: 1 May (Labour Day), 6 October (Birthday of Quaid‑e‑Azam).
Mid‑year break: 15 December – 31 December (includes Eid‑ul‑Adha).

Sindh: schedule highlights

In Sindh, the academic calendar starts a day later, on 3 August 2026. The province aligns its mid‑year break with the Hindu festival of Diwali, which falls around 7 November 2026, allowing a two‑week pause for schools with significant minority enrolment.

Examinations for the first term are scheduled for early December, while the second term examinations take place in late March 2027. The summer vacation period runs from 25 April to 7 August, slightly longer than in Punjab due to the later start.

Key public holidays: 23 March, 14 August, 25 December.
Provincial observances: 12 October (Birthday of Benazir Bhutto), 1 May (Labour Day).
Special note: Schools in Karachi often add a one‑day closure on 1 September for Karachi Day.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: exam windows and vacations

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s education authority released a calendar that begins on 1 August 2026. The province clusters its major holidays around the Islamic calendar, with a three‑week pause for Eid‑ul‑Fitr in June 2026 (dates to be confirmed by the moon sighting).

Mid‑year examinations are slated for the first week of February 2027, while final board examinations occur in the last week of April. The summer break starts on 30 April and extends to 5 August, providing a slightly shorter holiday than Sindh but a longer pre‑summer break.

Province	Academic Year Start	Mid‑year Break	Final Exams	Summer Vacation
Punjab	2 Aug 2026	15 Dec – 31 Dec	Late April 2027	1 May – 7 Aug 2027
Sindh	3 Aug 2026	7 Nov – 21 Nov	Late March 2027	25 Apr – 7 Aug 2027
K‑P	1 Aug 2026	June 2026 (Eid‑ul‑Fitr)	Last week Apr 2027	30 Apr – 5 Aug 2027
Balochistan	4 Aug 2026	Mid‑Oct 2026	Early May 2027	1 May – 10 Aug 2027

Balochistan: calendar nuances

Balochistan follows a slightly later start, with schools opening on 4 August 2026. The province’s mid‑year break is aligned with the regional celebration of Balochistan Day on 2 October, resulting in a one‑week closure for most institutions.

Examination periods are compressed into two windows: the first term exams in early January 2027 and the final board exams in early May 2027. Summer vacation begins on 1 May and runs until 10 August, giving students a ten‑day extension compared with Punjab.

Special considerations for private and international schools

Private and international schools often adopt the provincial calendar as a baseline but may add extra days for teacher training, parent‑teacher meetings or extracurricular camps. Many international curricula (e.g., Cambridge, IB) keep their own exam timetables, which can overlap with provincial holidays, requiring schools to schedule make‑up days.

Parents should verify whether their child’s school follows the provincial schedule or a bespoke calendar. In most cases, schools publish a detailed PDF on their websites at the start of July, and the information is also posted on provincial education department portals such as FBR for fee‑related notices.

“Understanding the provincial differences in school calendars is essential for families to avoid unexpected closures and to plan exam preparation effectively,” says Dr Ayesha Khan, senior education analyst at the Centre for Policy Research.

Quick answers

When does the school year start in Punjab?

Public and most private schools in Punjab begin the 2026‑27 academic year on 2 August 2026.

What are the nationwide public holidays that affect schools?

The key national holidays are Pakistan Day (23 March), Independence Day (14 August) and Christmas Day (25 December). All provinces close schools on these dates.

How many days of summer vacation are typical?

Summer vacation usually lasts between 90 and 100 days, starting in late April or early May and ending in the first week of August, depending on the province.

Are there any differences for private schools?

Private schools often add extra days for teacher development or extracurricular activities, but they generally adhere to the provincial start and end dates. International schools may follow their own exam calendars and schedule make‑up days around provincial holidays.