School Hours Changed in Charsadda Due to Fog, Balochistan Announces Long Winter Break

School Hours Changed in Charsadda Due to Fog, Balochistan Announces Long Winter Break

In a swift response to a tragic accident and deteriorating weather conditions, district authorities in Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) , have announced revised timings for all educational institutions, effective immediately. The decision, aimed squarely at safeguarding students, comes a day after a dense fog-related collision claimed the lives of two children.

Simultaneously, the provincial government of Balochistan has unveiled an extensive winter break schedule , mandating a two and a half month closure for government schools in its coldest regions to protect students from harsh winter conditions.

These parallel administrative actions highlight the seasonal challenges faced by educational authorities across Pakistan and their increasing focus on preemptive student safety.

Charsadda Implements Safety-First School Hours After Tragic Fog Accident

The catalyst for the immediate policy change in Charsadda was a devastating incident on Thursday . A school van collided with a truck in thick fog , a common meteorological hazard in the district during the winter months. The accident resulted in the tragic death of two young students and left 21 others injured , sending shockwaves through the community and prompting urgent official review.

Acting on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) , the district administration issued an official notification late Friday, altering the operational hours for all public and private schools across Charsadda.

According to the new directive:

• From Monday to Thursday: All educational institutions will operate from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM .

• On Friday: Schools will function for a shorter duration, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM .

The previous timings, which often saw children commuting during early morning hours when fog is at its peak, have been deemed a significant safety risk.

In an official statement, the Deputy Commissioner of Charsadda emphasized that the decision was made "in the public interest to protect the lives and property of the children." He further stated that the revised schedule would remain in effect until further notice, contingent upon improvements in visibility and weather conditions.

Local parents and school administration unions have largely welcomed the move. "The accident was a heart-wrenching tragedy. While we cannot bring back the lost lives, this decision will prevent future mishaps," said a representative from a local parents-teacher association. "Commuting after 9:00 AM is significantly safer as the fog tends to lift."

Balochistan's Proactive Approach: Extended Winter Closure for Cold Areas

While Khyber Pakhtunkhwa grapples with fog, Balochistan is preparing for its characteristically severe winter. In a separate notification, the Balochistan Education Department has announced that all government schools located in the designated "cold areas" of the province will observe an extended winter break.

This closure is scheduled to begin on December 16th, 2025 , and will continue for a period of two and a half months.

The notification provides a detailed breakdown of the vacation schedule:

• Winter Vacations Commence: December 23, 2025

• Winter Vacations Conclude: January 11, 2026

• Schools Reopen: January 13, 2026, marking the start of the new academic session.

The nearly 10-week closure is a standard annual practice for the mountainous and remote northern parts of Balochistan, including areas like Quetta, Ziarat, Pishin, and others, where temperatures often plummet below freezing, making travel hazardous and school buildings inhospitable.

An official from the Balochistan Education Department explained, "This extended break is a necessity, not a luxury. It ensures the well-being of our students and staff who would otherwise face extreme hardship and health risks due to the cold. The period from mid-December to early March is the most severe, and resuming classes in January allows for a balanced academic calendar."

A Nationwide Focus on Student Safety and Academic Continuity

The concurrent announcements from KP and Balochistan underscore a critical and seasonal administrative challenge. Education departments must constantly balance the imperative of academic continuity with the non-negotiable priority of student safety.

The reactive measure in Charsadda, prompted by a specific tragedy, and the proactive, planned closure in Balochistan both serve the same ultimate goal: protecting young lives from environmental dangers.

Experts in education policy suggest that such region-specific calendars are essential for a country with Pakistan's diverse geography and climate. "A one-size-fits-all approach does not work. The fog in the plains of Punjab and KP requires different interventions than the extreme cold in Balochistan or Gilgit-Baltistan," commented an education analyst. "These localized decisions demonstrate a maturing administrative response to climate-induced disruptions."

As the new school timings take effect in Charsadda and the winter break looms in Balochistan, the focus for all stakeholders remains clear ensuring that the pursuit of education never comes at the cost of a child's safety.