The Ghana Education Service (GES) has unveiled the official academic calendar for the 2026/2027 school year, outlining when basic schools will reopen, scheduled vacation periods, mid-term breaks and the dates for the 2027 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The calendar, approved by the management of GES, applies to all Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High Schools nationwide. Regional Directors of Education have been instructed to circulate the schedule through Metro, Municipal and District Directors of Education to ensure every basic school receives the approved timetable for implementation.
The calendar provides a uniform schedule to guide teaching and learning activities across the country while giving schools, teachers, parents and pupils ample time to plan for the academic year.
First Term Starts in September
Under the approved timetable, the first term will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and run for 15 weeks before schools close on Thursday, December 17, 2026.
Pupils and teachers will then proceed on the Christmas vacation from Friday, December 18, 2026, to Monday, January 4, 2027, ahead of the second term.
A two-day mid-term break has also been scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2026, providing a short pause for both learners and teaching staff during the term.
Second Term Runs from January to March
Academic activities will resume on Tuesday, January 5, 2027, for the second term, which is expected to last 12 weeks before ending on Thursday, March 25, 2027.
The Easter vacation will follow immediately, running from Friday, March 26, to Monday, April 19, 2027, after which schools will return for the final term of the academic year.
Third Term Concludes School Year
The third term is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, April 20, 2027, and continue for 14 weeks, ending on Thursday, July 22, 2027.
Schools will officially begin the long vacation on Friday, July 23, 2027, bringing the 2026/2027 academic year to a close.
The academic calendar is designed to balance classroom instruction with scheduled breaks that support effective learning and the wellbeing of both pupils and teachers.
2027 BECE Dates Announced
GES has also confirmed the timetable for the 2027 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), which will be written by final-year Junior High School pupils seeking admission into Senior High School.
According to the approved calendar, the national examination will take place from Wednesday, May 5, to Wednesday, May 12, 2027.
The early release of the examination dates is expected to help schools prepare revision schedules, organise mock examinations and complete other academic activities ahead of the nationwide assessment.
Read the statement below.
