“All the government and private schools under the administrative control of the School Education and Literacy Department shall function from 8:30am. The said timing shall remain operative [till] January 31, 2024,” according to the notification issued on January 5.

It is pertinent to mention that the Punjab government has extended winter vacations in the province till January 9 due to extreme cold conditions.

The official notification was issued to extend the winter holidays in schools and colleges across the province.

With the mercury falling on the lower side, reports had suggested a potential extension in the holidays, however, the provincial governments have not made any decisions regarding the extension.

Earlier today, caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi signalled a possibility of extending the winter vacation of educational institutions beyond January 9 on account of severe weather conditions in the province.

But he has also made clear that no decision has been taken yet.