The School Education Department (SED) Punjab has released the official academic schedule and examination timeline for the 2026 school year, marking major changes for students across the province. According to the approved plan, matriculation board examinations for 10th grade students will begin on March 3, 2026, while intermediate examinations for 11th and 12th grade students are set to start on May 5, 2026.
The announcement accompanies the implementation of a revised admission policy, a new school calendar, and multiple syllabus amendments. One of the most notable updates is the replacement of 29 textbooks from Class 6 to Matric level. The redesigned books are expected to be printed and made available in December as part of the department’s curriculum overhaul.
The academic year will officially commence on April 1, 2026, with the distribution of free textbooks beginning on April 5, aiming to ensure timely access to learning materials. In a move towards increased standardization, the department confirmed that Class 8 students will now sit for a board-based examination, scheduled to begin on February 3, 2026.
Related: 29 Textbooks Out: Punjab Begins Major Education Reform Drive
These structural reforms arrive at a critical moment for Punjab’s education system. The province continues to face a growing crisis of out-of-school children, with official data from 2025 showing 28 million children not attending school. The figure is projected to surpass 30 million in 2026, underscoring the urgency for effective measures to improve enrollment and reduce dropout rates as the new academic framework takes shape.