Sindh Launches ‘Teach for Trees’ as Schools Reopen April 1
News Desk
Karachi: The Sindh government has tied the start of the 2026 academic year to an ambitious environmental campaign, announcing that schools across the province will reopen on April 1 under the theme “Teach for Trees” in a bid to turn nearly 10 million students into climate ambassadors.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Education Department’s steering committee chaired by Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah at the Sindh Assembly’s Old Building.
The session approved the academic calendar, examination schedule, holidays and school timings for the upcoming year, while placing environmental awareness at the centre of education policy.
Under the new theme, students will be encouraged to plant trees within school premises or designated areas and take responsibility for their upkeep.
The minister said that if each of Sindh’s approximately 10 million students planted one tree, the province could add 10 million trees, calling it a practical step to address climate change while making schools greener and more child-friendly.
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Examinations up to Grade 8 will be held in March as usual, including during Ramazan. Board exams for Grades 9 and 10 are scheduled from March 31 to April 15, 2026, followed by Grades 11 and 12 from April 15 to April 30. Intermediate results will be announced on June 1.
The committee approved summer vacations for June and July, while winter holidays will fall in the last ten days of December.
In light of evolving climate conditions, a sub-committee will be formed to consult stakeholders and recommend possible changes to the holiday schedule for consideration in the 2027 academic year.
Minister for Universities and Boards Ismail Rahu, who attended the meeting as a special participant, directed examination boards to expand the use of technology to minimise human intervention and improve efficiency.
All boards were instructed to implement the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) system to enhance transparency and ensure timely results.
The meeting also decided to formally incorporate sports and co-curricular activities into the annual academic calendar to support students’ creativity and overall development.
Officials expressed satisfaction over the implementation of last year’s reforms, noting that 2025 had been observed as the year of STEAM education in Sindh, which they said yielded positive outcomes. The minister stressed the need for stricter adherence to the academic calendar and timely conduct of examinations in the new year.
With the “Teach for Trees” initiative, the province aims to blend curriculum, climate awareness and community participation — signalling a shift toward education that extends beyond classrooms and into environmental stewardship.
