The Ministry of Education has officially published the revised holiday schedule and academic calendar for the 2026 academic year for both government and private secondary and lower secondary schools. The announcement was issued on Wednesday by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, outlining the schedule of vacations, examinations, and important academic directives for the year.
According to the updated calendar, excluding the regular weekly holidays of Friday and Saturday, schools will remain closed for a total of 67 days throughout the year.
Major Holidays and Breaks
The academic calendar specifies several extended breaks. Schools will be closed for 26 consecutive days from 19 February to 26 March to observe the holy month of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence Day celebrations. This closure has already commenced as of today.
For Eid-ul-Adha and the summer vacation, schools will be closed from 24 May to 4 June, amounting to 10 days. At the end of the year, a winter break coinciding with Christmas has been scheduled from 20 December to 29 December, covering 8 days. In addition to these, schools will observe holidays on various religious and national occasions as specified in the calendar.
| Holiday/Break | Duration | Dates 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Ramadan & Eid-ul-Fitr & Independence Day | 26 days | 19 Feb – 26 Mar |
| Eid-ul-Adha & Summer Vacation | 10 days | 24 May – 4 Jun |
| Winter Vacation & Christmas | 8 days | 20 Dec – 29 Dec |
| Weekly Holidays | Every Friday & Saturday | Year-round |
Examination Schedule
The ministry has also released a tentative timetable for the year’s examinations:
| Examination | Duration | Dates 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Half-Yearly & Pre-Selection | 16 days | 28 Jun – 13 Jul |
| Selection/Board Exams | 14 days | 28 Oct – 10 Nov |
| Annual Exams | 18 days | 19 Nov – 6 Dec |
| Junior Scholarship Exams | 6 days | 15 Dec – 20 Dec |
The ministry has stipulated that no examination period should exceed 12 working days. All schools are required to conduct exams using their own prepared question papers; external or previously collected questions are strictly prohibited. Exam dates cannot be altered except under exceptional circumstances and only with prior approval from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.
Additional Directives
The notification further prohibits closing schools or halting classes for government official inspections or ceremonial visits. Students must not be made to stand outside during such visits. However, schools may remain open during holidays to facilitate admissions or other examinations. National holidays and significant occasions are to be observed with due respect and proper arrangements.
This comprehensive calendar aims to provide clarity for schools, students, and parents while ensuring academic continuity and proper observance of national and religious occasions throughout the 2026 academic year.
