Sindh restores six-day school week from Aug. 1

Pakistan's southern Sindh province will require all public and private schools and colleges to operate six days a week from Aug. 1, ending a shorter workweek introduced earlier this year under austerity measures, according to government notifications issued Thursday.

Why is Sindh restoring the six-day school week?

Sindh's education department reversed the two-day weekend it introduced in March to help schools and colleges finish the annual curriculum on schedule. An education department official told Nukta the earlier austerity measures were no longer considered necessary. The change takes effect immediately.

What does the new school schedule look like?

Separate directives from the Sindh School Education and Literacy Department and the College Education Department said institutions under their administration will follow a Monday-to-Saturday schedule from Aug. 1 until further notice. The move reverses a March 31 notification that had made Saturday and Sunday weekly holidays for schools and colleges.

What are the new college timings in Sindh?

The College Education Department also announced revised operating hours. Morning shifts at public and private colleges will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays, while Friday classes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Evening shifts will operate from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays. On Fridays, evening classes will run from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Why was the two-day weekend introduced in the first place?

The government notifications did not give a reason for restoring the six-day week. The March 31 decision to introduce a two-day weekend had been part of austerity and fuel conservation measures adopted by the Sindh government to manage the economic impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.