The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially released the approved 2026/2027 Academic Calendar for Basic Schools across the country. The calendar, which covers Kindergarten (KG), Primary, and Junior High Schools (JHS), provides the official reopening dates, vacation periods, mid-term breaks, and the scheduled dates for the 2027 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The calendar was communicated through a letter dated May 6, 2026, signed by Prof. Smile Dzisi (Mrs.), Deputy Director-General (Management), for the Director-General of GES. The letter directed all Regional Directors of Education to circulate the approved calendar to Metro, Municipal, District Directors of Education and all heads of basic schools to ensure effective implementation.
First Term Begins on September 8, 2026
According to the calendar, the first term of the 2026/2027 academic year will last 15 weeks.
The term will commence on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and end on Thursday, December 17, 2026. After the close of the first term, pupils and teachers will proceed on vacation from December 18, 2026, to January 4, 2027.
To provide learners and teachers with adequate rest during the term, GES has scheduled a two-day mid-term break on November 5 and 6, 2026.
Second Term to Last 12 Weeks
The second term will officially reopen on Tuesday, January 5, 2027, and continue for 12 weeks before ending on Thursday, March 25, 2027.
Following the close of the term, schools will observe the second vacation from March 26 to April 19, 2027 before the commencement of the third and final term.
Third Term Ends the Academic Year
The third term, which will run for 14 weeks, will begin on Tuesday, April 20, 2027.
Schools will officially close on Thursday, July 22, 2027, bringing the instructional period to an end. The long vacation begins on Friday, July 23, 2027, marking the official end of the 2026/2027 academic year.
2027 BECE Scheduled for May
One of the major highlights of the newly released calendar is the announcement of the 2027 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable.
GES has scheduled the national examination to take place from Wednesday, May 5, 2027, to Wednesday, May 12, 2027. This provides schools, teachers, parents, and candidates with sufficient time to prepare adequately for the examination.
Mid-Term Breaks and Public Holidays
GES has reminded all schools that public holidays falling within the academic year must be observed accordingly.
Additionally, the Service has maintained its policy of providing a two-day mid-term break in every term to support the well-being of learners and teachers while ensuring continuous academic progress.
The Ghana Education Service has urged Regional, Metro, Municipal, District Education Directorates and school authorities to take note of the approved dates and make the necessary preparations for a smooth and successful academic year.
School heads are expected to plan teaching and learning activities, internal assessments, examinations, co-curricular programmes, and other school events in line with the approved calendar. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to take note of the reopening and vacation dates to adequately prepare their children for school.
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