In a move to recover academic losses, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has announced that all educational institutions under its jurisdiction in Islamabad will now observe Saturday as a working day. This new schedule, which takes effect immediately and runs until February 1, 2025, designates only Sunday as a holiday.
The decision comes in response to the significant disruptions caused by recent street protests led by the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which led to school and college closures across the federal capital. To make up for the lost academic time, the FDE has implemented a temporary six-day workweek for all affiliated schools and colleges, both in urban and rural areas.
Under the new schedule, schools will operate from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, with Friday sessions from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Evening shift schools will run from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
Previously, winter school timings were adjusted to shield children and staff from the cold. The FDE aims to ensure students stay on track with their academic objectives despite the disruptions earlier this month.
