Pakistan School Calendar 2026-27: Every Holiday, Exam Period, and Vacation You Need to Know

Pakistan’s new academic year 2026-27 is now live, with Punjab schools reopening on 24 August 2026. This is the complete, province-by-province guide to every public holiday, mid-term and annual exam window, summer and winter vacation, and major school-related notification for the year ahead — including the new federal 7% salary increase for government school staff and the 10% minimum-wage adjustment that affects private school budgets.

Bookmark this page. The school year in Pakistan runs from late August through the end of March or early April, with summer vacations in May and June. Provincial education authorities publish their own academic calendars, but the federal public holiday list and the major exam windows are broadly consistent. Below is the full reference, with cross-references to the recent announcements you need to be aware of.

Federal public holidays affecting all schools in 2026-27

The federal government publishes a public holiday calendar each year. The 2026-27 list, with school-specific context:

For the complete Eid holiday schedule (Eid ul Fitr 2027, Eid ul Adha 2027), the federal Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony issues the official notification closer to the moon sighting, typically 4 to 6 weeks before each Eid. Schools automatically close on the three days of each Eid (with one extra day for Eid ul Fitr in some provinces).

Punjab: Academic year 2026-27 at a glance

Punjab is the largest province by school enrolment, and the Punjab School Education Department has confirmed the calendar for the year. The new school year began on Monday, 24 August 2026, with revised timings (8:00am to 1:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 12:45pm Friday).

Sindh, KP, and Balochistan: the differences

The other three provinces and the federal regions follow similar but not identical calendars. Most of the differences are at the margins — exact exam dates, provincial cultural holidays, and the timing of the summer break.

Sindh

Sindh schools typically reopen in mid-August, slightly earlier than Punjab. The Sindh School Education and Literacy Department (SELD) issues its own calendar with minor differences. The province observes a few additional cultural holidays (such as the Sindhi cultural day on 6 December), and the academic year often runs a week or two longer than Punjab’s. For 2026-27, the Sindh academic session effectively started in mid-August, with the first day falling before the Punjab reopening on 24 August.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

KP schools typically follow the Punjab calendar closely, with a slightly earlier start and a winter break aligned with the snow season in the northern districts. KP’s elementary and secondary education department publishes its own calendar, and exam schedules are aligned with the BISE Peshawar boards.

Balochistan

Balochistan has the smallest formal school network of the four provinces, but the academic calendar broadly mirrors Punjab. The province faces unique challenges in remote districts, where weather, security, and access can shift the practical school year by a week or two in either direction.

Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and AJK

ICT schools (Federal Directorate of Education schools and private schools in Islamabad) follow the federal ministry’s calendar. AJK schools follow the AJK Ministry of Education calendar, which is broadly aligned with Punjab but includes a few additional holidays for regional events.

The new financial context for 2026-27

Two federal budget measures for FY 2026-27 directly affect every school in the country — government and private — even if the implications are not always obvious.

• 7% federal government salary increase announced in the Finance Act 2026-27. This applies to all federal government employees, including teachers and staff in federal colleges and ICT schools, and triggers a corresponding increase in pension contributions and allowances.
• 10% increase in the federal minimum wage. Most provinces follow the federal minimum wage as the floor for private sector pay. Private school teachers, particularly low-paid support staff, are directly affected. Several provinces have also announced corresponding adjustments to the basic pay scales of public sector school staff.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the 7% federal salary increase and the 10% minimum wage adjustment both kick in from 1 July 2026. Schools that pay below the new minimum wage need to top up from the new session; schools with structured allowances need to recalculate the contribution base.
— Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget 2026-27 brief

Private schools: what to watch in 2026-27

Private school fee increases are regulated at the provincial level. In Punjab, the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) caps the annual increase at a percentage that the provincial government sets each year, often tied to inflation. In Sindh, the Sindh Private Schools Regulatory Authority (SPSA) plays the same role.

For the 2026-27 session, the practical things to check at your child’s school are:

• Whether the school has filed the new fee structure with the relevant provincial regulator.
• Whether the tuition fee, computer lab fee, exam fee, and transport fee are itemised separately. Mixing these into a single “monthly fee” is a common source of disputes.
• Whether the 10% federal minimum wage adjustment has flowed through to the support and teaching staff. Parents can ask the school administration directly.
• Whether the school has the CCTV, security, and first-aid setup required by the latest Punjab SED 15-point SOP and equivalent notifications in other provinces.

Examination windows for 2026-27

Board exams in Pakistan are administered by the provincial Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) and the Federal Board (FBISE). For the 2026-27 cycle, the typical exam windows are:

Exact dates for each BISE board are published in the official date sheet, usually 4 to 6 weeks before the first paper. FBISE typically issues its date sheet in mid-February for SSC/HSSC exams. The provincial BISEs follow their own timetables but rarely differ by more than a week or two from the federal board.

What to do in the first week of the new session

1. Confirm the school calendar with the school. Some schools operate on a slightly different calendar, especially private schools that follow a Cambridge or Matric-track system. The school’s official calendar trumps the provincial one.
2. Check the new timetables. Punjab schools follow the new 8:00am start (with a 15-minute earlier open for girls’ schools). Most other provinces are similar, but Sindh private schools often have different hours.
3. Get the textbooks and stationery in place. The Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board issues free textbooks for grades 1 to 10 in government schools. Private schools typically follow the federal or Oxford syllabus and require parents to buy books separately.
4. Update the emergency contact and medical info at school. Most schools ask for an updated card in the first week. Include any allergies, ongoing medication, and authorised pickup persons.
5. Confirm the transport and after-school arrangements. With the new shorter Friday hours, after-school pickup is at 12:45pm, not the previous 1:30pm. Plan accordingly.
6. Review the homework and assessment pattern. Most schools now use a mix of classwork, weekly tests, monthly assessments, and quarterly exams. Confirm the pattern your child will be working to.

The “what’s changed since last year” cheat sheet

For families and teachers tracking year-on-year changes, here is the consolidated list of new measures and notifications affecting the 2026-27 session:

• Punjab School Education Department revised timings: 8:00am to 1:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 12:45pm Friday.
• 15-minute early start for girls’ schools in Punjab (DEAs can adjust locally).
• New 15-point health, security, and maintenance SOP from Punjab SED.
• 7% federal government salary increase effective 1 July 2026 (applies to federal school staff and triggers pension contributions).
• 10% federal minimum wage increase effective 1 July 2026 (applies to private school staff).
• New income tax slabs effective 1 July 2026 (rate cuts in four bands between Rs 2.2m and Rs 7m; 9% surcharge above Rs 10m abolished for salaried).
• ATL surcharge for late filers increased to Rs 25,000 for individuals from 1 July 2026.
• PLRA-FBR integrated one-counter property registration in Punjab (relevant for school land transactions and trust property filings).
• FBR Faceless Assessment System launches 1 October 2026 (relevant for school trust tax filings).

Frequently asked questions

When does the Pakistan school year 2026-27 start?

Punjab schools reopened on Monday, 24 August 2026. Sindh schools typically reopen a week or two earlier. KP and Balochistan broadly follow the Punjab calendar with minor variations.

What are the school timings in Punjab for 2026-27?

Single-shift schools: 8:00am to 1:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8:00am to 12:45pm Friday. Girls’ schools open 15 minutes earlier than boys’ schools. The new timings apply until 15 October 2026.

When are the school summer vacations in 2027?

Typically late May to late August 2027, in line with the previous year’s 22 May to 23 August pattern. Provincial education departments confirm exact dates closer to the period.

When are the 2027 board exams?

SSC and HSSC exams under the BISE boards and FBISE are typically held in March, April, and early May 2027. The federal board (FBISE) issues its date sheet in mid-February, and provincial boards follow shortly after.

Are schools closed on 26 August 2026?

Yes. Wednesday, 26 August 2026 is a federal public holiday for Eid Milad-un-Nabi. Schools across Pakistan will be closed that day.

How much did federal school staff salaries increase in 2026-27?

7% increase for federal government employees, including teachers and staff in federal colleges and ICT schools, effective 1 July 2026. The increase also raises pension contributions and allowances.

Does the federal minimum wage increase apply to private school teachers?

Yes. The 10% federal minimum wage increase effective 1 July 2026 sets the floor for private sector pay across Pakistan, including private school support and teaching staff. Most provinces follow the federal minimum wage as the binding standard.

Where can I get the official school calendar for my province?

Punjab: Punjab School Education Department. Sindh: SELD. KP: KP Elementary and Secondary Education Department. Balochistan: Balochistan Education Department. ICT: Federal Directorate of Education. AJK: AJK Ministry of Education.