Federal Education Directorate Announces Winter Break Schedule for Islamabad Schools and Colleges

Federal Education Directorate Announces Winter Break Schedule for Islamabad Schools and Colleges

The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has officially released the winter vacation schedule for all educational institutions operating under the federal system in the capital territory. According to a formal notification, Islamabad’s schools and colleges will observe a nine-day winter break, commencing later this month.

Official Dates and Key Details for Islamabad Institutions

The FDE’s directive specifies that all Islamabad Model Schools and Colleges , encompassing both urban and rural campuses, will close from Friday, 26th December 2025, and reopen on Monday, 5th January 2026 . The notification, issued with the explicit approval of the Director General of the FDE, has been disseminated to all heads of institutions through the network of Area Education Officers.

A notable addition to the schedule is the designation of Saturday, 10th January 2026, as a working day for all administrative, teaching, and non-teaching staff. The FDE has instructed personnel to attend duty on that day to complete priority tasks that have been separately communicated by the Directorate. This adjustment ensures smooth administrative continuity following the holiday period.

Rationale and Coordination with National Winter Schedules

The announcement aligns with the annual practice of granting a winter recess in response to the seasonal cold wave. It also coincides with the finalization of winter break schedules across Pakistan’s other provinces, each tailoring its calendar to local climatic conditions.

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): The province has adopted a zone-based approach . Schools in summer zones will observe holidays from 1 to 15 January 2026 . In contrast, institutions in colder winter zones will have a significantly longer break, spanning from 22 December 2025 to 28 February 2026 .

• Sindh: The provincial government has declared winter holidays for all public and private schools and colleges from 22 to 31 December 2025 . Academic activities will resume on 1 January 2026 . However, supplementary board examinations will proceed according to their pre-existing timetables.

• Punjab: The province announced an extended winter break for all schools from 22 December 2025 to 10 January 2026 , with teaching activities scheduled to recommence on 10 January .

The variation in dates highlights the regional adaptations to weather patterns, with Islamabad’s schedule positioned within the mid-range of the national timeline.

Implications for Students, Parents, and Staff in Islamabad

The confirmed dates provide much-needed clarity for the educational community in the federal capital. Parents can now plan family activities and childcare for the break, while students have a clear timeline for their winter assignments and study schedules.

School administrations are expected to use the working day on 10 January 2026 for essential tasks such as lesson planning, administrative year-end closures, and preparatory work for the upcoming term. This structured approach aims to minimize disruption to the academic calendar.

Expert Commentary on Academic Calendar Planning

Education analysts note that the synchronization of holiday announcements, albeit with different dates, helps facilitate national coordination for families with children in multiple provinces. The FDE’s clear, advance communication is seen as a positive step in institutional planning.

“Well-defined academic calendars are crucial for systematic educational delivery,” commented Dr. Ayesha Raza, an education policy researcher based in Islamabad. “The FDE’s notification, complete with a compensatory working day for staff, demonstrates an effort to balance necessary downtime for students with operational requirements, ensuring a strong restart in the new year.”

Looking Ahead: Resumption of Academic Activities

All regular academic activities across Islamabad’s federal institutions are set to resume promptly on Monday, 5 January 2026 . The FDE advises students, parents, and staff to consult their respective institutions for any specific local instructions or activity schedules related to the last day before the break and the reopening day.

The directorate has also reminded all institutions to ensure necessary maintenance and security measures are in place during the closure period to safeguard school property.

Key Takeaways for Islamabad:

• Winter Break: 26 December 2025 – 3 January 2026.

• School Reopens: Monday, 5 January 2026.

• Staff Working Day: Saturday, 10 January 2026.

• Authority: Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).

• Scope: All Islamabad Model Schools and Colleges (Urban & Rural).

The announcement finalizes the academic calendar for the end of 2025, allowing the educational community in Islamabad to prepare for a brief winter respite before commencing the new year.