Schools in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district will remain closed until January 20 for students up to Class 8, with the administration extending the ongoing holiday period due to the Magh Mela and the expected surge in pilgrim footfall. The closure applies to all government and private schools and has been ordered to ensure student safety amid anticipated traffic congestion and movement restrictions during the major bathing days of Makar Sankranti and Mauni Amavasya.
According to officials, lakhs of devotees are expected to arrive in Prayagraj for the holy dip at the Sangam between January 16 and January 20, which is likely to lead to heavy crowding, traffic jams, and disruption of normal movement across the city. To avoid inconvenience to students and parents, the district administration has decided to suspend physical classes during this period.
The order states that all government, aided, and private schools in the Prayagraj district will remain completely closed during the specified period, and no institution will be permitted to operate. To ensure that academic schedules are not affected, schools have been advised to conduct online classes so that syllabus coverage continues without interruption.
School timings revised in Punjab
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has revised school timings across the state in view of prevailing winter conditions. As per an official notice issued by the state education authorities, all government, aided and private schools in Punjab will function with reduced hours from January 16 to January 21, 2026.
According to the notice, primary schools will operate from 10 am to 3 pm, while upper primary, secondary and senior secondary schools will function from 10 am to 3.30 pm during the revised schedule. The order also directs school heads to strictly adhere to the modified timings and ensure that students are not required to report to school before the stipulated hours.
According to the notice, the revised schedule has been implemented as a precautionary measure to safeguard students from harsh morning weather conditions and to ensure uniformity in school operations across the state.
