The Punjab government has declared that all educational institutions in the province will resume in-person classes starting from April 1, 2026. This decision comes after a nearly three-week closure prompted by a severe fuel shortage and mounting economic pressures that affected daily operations across the region.
Rana Sikandar Hayat, the Education Minister of Punjab, emphasized that schools will operate fully on a physical basis, with no provision for online or hybrid learning models. He firmly rejected suggestions to reduce the school week to three or four days, insisting that institutions must remain open five days a week to ensure academic continuity and recovery.
In a significant development, the minister also called on students to intensify their focus on studies to compensate for the educational setbacks experienced during the extended holiday period. The closure, which began on March 10 and lasted until March 31, 2026, had initially been announced on March 9 as a response to the escalating fuel crisis.
The fuel shortage was largely triggered by a sharp increase in global oil prices, influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane. This situation led to a 20 percent hike in petrol and diesel prices within Pakistan, severely impacting transportation and the operational capacity of schools. During the closure, educational activities were maintained through online platforms, but the government now aims to restore traditional classroom learning to address the academic gaps created during this period.
