Will schools get 10-day holiday in Lahore due to Basant?
Pakistan
Punjab government denies claims of school closures for Basant festival from February 1-10, 2026. No official decision has been made, and no kite-flying activities on school rooftops will be allowed
LAHORE (Web Desk) – A fake notification circulating on social media claimed that the Punjab School Education Department had issued orders to close both public and private schools across the province from February 1 to 10, 2026, in celebration of the Basant festival.
The notification also alleged that the rooftops of schools would be leased or auctioned for kite-flying activities, with district education authorities instructed to enforce these measures.
However, the Punjab government has strongly denied these claims, clarifying that no official decision has been made to extend holidays or close schools for the Basant festival.
The government further assured that no such directives related to kite-flying on school rooftops have been issued.
Punjab's Minister for Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, who regularly posts official announcements regarding school schedules and holidays on his social media accounts, confirmed that no such notice had been issued through his channels.
He emphasized that any official decisions regarding school closures or holidays would be made through proper communication channels and would be publicly announced.
It is recalled that the provincial government has declared a local holiday on February 6 (Friday).
