Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat said that the government has also implemented a “Smart and Reduced” syllabus for matriculation classes. He added that the syllabus for grade 11 is being finalized and will be announced next week.

According to the minister, the 9th-grade computer book has been shortened from 270 pages to 160 pages under the new plan. The goal of this updated syllabus, he explained, is to lessen students’ workload and remove unnecessary topics.

A committee of experts from both public and private sectors has been formed to finalize the academic calendar, which will be completed and officially notified by December 1.

Earlier, the Punjab government introduced new winter school timings as part of its strategy to protect students from worsening air pollution. Many regions, including Lahore and Faisalabad, have reported dangerously high pollution levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 500 in some areas.

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Lahore has been declared the world’s most polluted city for three consecutive days, with an AQI of 412 prompting health warnings from environmental and medical authorities.

As per the new winter schedule, school timings for students will be from 8:45am to 1:30pm. Teachers will work from 8:30am to 2:00pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8:30am to 12:30pm on Fridays. These timings will be effective from October 27, 2025, until April 15, 2026.

The Punjab government’s decision to introduce a two-day weekend aims to improve both students’ and teachers’ well-being amid hazardous smog levels. Reducing the syllabus and shortening school hours reflect a practical approach to ease pressure on students. Experts believe the move may enhance learning efficiency while also addressing urgent environmental and health concerns.