The Ghana Education Service (GES) has released the official academic calendar for the 2025/2026 academic year for all second cycle institutions, as outlined in a letter dated August 20, 2025, from the Director of Schools and Instructions Division, Prince C. Agyemang-Duah. This directive, addressed to all Regional Directors, marks a significant step in ensuring a structured and consistent educational framework across the country.
Key Dates and Guidelines
The academic year will commence with first-year students (both single track and transitional schools) reporting on October 18, 2025. This starting date sets the tone for the year, with other critical term dates and holidays detailed in the attached academic calendar. The calendar also includes footnotes providing additional guidance on special arrangements and considerations to facilitate the smooth operation of the school year.
Responsibilities of Regional Directors
Regional Directors are tasked with disseminating the academic calendar to all Heads of Second Cycle Institutions under their jurisdiction. They are also required to ensure strict adherence to the calendar to maintain consistency and smooth implementation across all schools. To support this, directors are encouraged to provide necessary monitoring and assistance to Heads of Schools throughout the execution of the calendar.
Commitment to Educational Excellence
The GES emphasizes its reliance on the cooperation of Regional Directors to uphold effective teaching and learning in institutions for the 2025/2026 academic year. This collaborative effort is seen as crucial to achieving the educational goals set for the period.
The 2025/2026 Transitional Academic Calendar for schools has been released, outlining a structured schedule for Forms 1, 2, and 3 students. Effective from October 2025, the calendar provides a detailed breakdown of school terms, breaks, and key examination dates, ensuring a balanced academic year amidst transitional adjustments.
For Form 3 students, the academic year begins on October 27, 2025, with a 14-week term ending on February 13, 2026. A break is scheduled from December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026, followed by the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) from April 20 to June 20, 2026. The second term starts on February 16, 2026, spanning 18 weeks and concluding on June 26, 2026, marking the end of the academic year.
Form 2 students will commence their year on January 5, 2026, with a 15-week online term ending on March 27, 2026. A break from April 18 to May 17, 2026, will precede the second term, which begins on May 18, 2026, and lasts 16 weeks, ending on September 4, 2026, signaling the academic year’s close.
Form 1 students start on October 18, 2025, with a 9-week onsite term ending on December 19, 2025. A 13.4-week online term follows from January 30 to March 15, 2026, with a break from December 20, 2025, to January 29, 2026. The final term, from March 16 to July 3, 2026, spans 9 weeks onsite and 4 weeks offline, concluding on September 4, 2026.
Key dates include the re-opening week for Senior High School (SHS) 1 on October 18-26, 2025, and for SHS 3 on October 27-November 2, 2025. A travel period is set for December 20, 2025, with a Christmas break, followed by re-opening weeks for SHS 2 on January 5-11, 2026, and SHS 3 on January 12-18, 2026. A vacation period for SHS 2 is scheduled from March 14 to May 17, 2026, including an Easter break from April 5-13, 2026. The WASSCE starting date is set for April 20, 2026, with the proposed start for the 2026/2027 academic year on September 11, 2026.
This transitional calendar aims to accommodate online and onsite learning, providing flexibility while maintaining academic rigor. Students and parents are encouraged to plan accordingly, noting the examination schedules and breaks to ensure a smooth educational experience throughout the year.
