Winter holidays 2026: Punjab government announces school closure till January 7 amid cold wave and dense fog

The Punjab government has announced an extension of school holidays across the state due to worsening cold weather and dense fog conditions. The decision has been taken keeping the safety and health of students and school staff in mind. The announcement was made through an official statement by Punjab’s Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, following directions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

As per the announcement, all schools in Punjab will remain closed until January 7. Regular classes will resume from January 8. The holiday period has been extended for all school types, government, aided, recognised, and private institutions. Parents and students are expected to adhere to the revised timetable and keep themselves updated with any new notifications from the state government.

Official announcement by Punjab education minister

Sharing the update on social media, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the decision was taken in accordance with the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He stated that the cold and fog levels in Punjab have been increasing continuously, creating unsafe conditions for children and school staff, especially during early morning travel hours. After reviewing the situation, the state government decided to extend school holidays across Punjab. The minister clearly mentioned that the move prioritises the health and safety of students and teachers.

Schools covered under the holiday extension

The holiday extension applies to all schools across Punjab, without any exception. This includes government schools, government-aided schools, recognised schools, and private schools operating in the state. The order is applicable uniformly across urban and rural areas. Schools affiliated with different boards will also follow the same holiday schedule, as the decision has been issued at the state level. School managements have been instructed to strictly follow the government’s directions.

New reopening date for Punjab schools

According to the official statement, schools in Punjab will remain closed up to January 7. All schools will reopen on January 8 and function on regular working days as per their usual timetable. Parents have been advised to ensure that children return to school only from the announced date and not earlier. Any further changes, if required due to weather conditions, will be communicated by the state government.

Reason behind extending the holidays

The Punjab government said the decision was taken because of severe cold and dense fog in many parts of the state. Such weather can affect the health of children, especially younger students, and also reduce visibility on roads during school travel hours. To keep students safe and prevent accidents or health problems during winter, the government decided to extend the school holidays.

Advice for parents and schools

Parents should keep their children indoors during the cold early morning and late evening hours and also make sure that they are properly dressed to keep warm. These days can be utilized by the concerned schools to rearrange academic schedules and therefore, facilitate the reopening of schools on January 8 in a smooth manner. Parents and students must only consider official statements as a source of information and should not fall prey to the misinformation.
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