Punjab Schools Set New Academic Calendar as Dropouts Rise
The Punjab school dropouts issue continues to grow as the province finalises its next academic year. The department approved the new syllabus with slight changes. Updated textbooks will go to print in December.
The new academic year will start on April 1, 2026. In addition, the government will distribute free textbooks from April 5. These steps aim to support families and improve learning access.
Exam Schedule for 2026
The department has shared the full exam schedule. Annual exams for classes 1 to 7 will take place from March 10 to 22. Results will come out on March 31.
The Class 8 board assessment will begin on February 3. Matric exams will start on March 3, 2026, while Intermediate exams will follow from May 5. Therefore, students and teachers have clear timelines for preparation.
Rising Concerns Over Dropouts
Despite these plans, concerns continue to grow. Punjab recorded 28 million out-of-school children in 2025. Experts fear this number may cross 30 million in 2026. This trend raises serious questions about access and equity in education.
This year also saw a sharp rise in student dropouts. Many families struggled after the government privatised 14,000 schools. As a result, a large number of children left formal education.
In a surprising shift, owners of 1,400 privatised schools returned them to the government. They reported major drops in enrolment, especially among girls. The government has now added these schools to a list of 4,500 institutions marked for sale in December.
Malik Naseem, President of the All Pakistan Private Schools Association, highlighted the role of poverty and policy gaps. He noted that more children now work in shops and restaurants. Sadly, many underage boys and girls are giving up education to support their families.
