GES Confirms 2025/2026 SHS Academic Calendar, Introduces Structured Off-Campus Learning for Transition Schools
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has officially reaffirmed that the 2025/2026 academic calendar for Senior High Schools (SHS) and Senior High Technical Schools (SHTS) remains unchanged. This confirmation was contained in an immediate release issued on 2nd January, 2026, and signed by the Head of Public Relations, Daniel Fenyi.
According to GES Management, the clarification is intended to guide heads of schools, teachers, students, parents, and all relevant stakeholders as schools prepare for the continuation of the academic year. The statement also outlines clear arrangements for off-campus and online learning, particularly for schools classified as transition schools.
Academic Calendar for Single Track Schools
For single track schools, Forms 1 and 2 students will report to school from 5th January to 27th February 2026, followed by a break until 3rd May 2026. They will then resume classes on 4th May and remain in school until 21st August 2026, marking the end of the academic year.
Form 3 students in single track schools will also report on 5th January and stay in school until 27th February 2026. After a short break from 28th February to 13th March, they will return on 14th March and complete the school year on 21st June 2026.
Calendar for Transitional Schools
For transitional schools, the calendar includes a mix of in-school, online, and off-campus learning periods.
Form 3 students will be in school from 5th January to 31st March 2026, take an Easter break from 1st to 8th April, and resume on 9th April until 21st June 2026.
Form 2 students will report from 5th January to 15th March 2026, after which they will engage in online or off-campus learning from 16th March to 17th April. A vacation will follow from 18th April to 17th May, with students returning to school on 18th May until 4th September 2026.
Form 1 students will begin the year with online or off-campus learning from 5th to 30th January 2026. This will be followed by a vacation from 31st January to 15th March. They will then report to school from 16th March to 17th May, continue with another online/off-campus period from 18th May to 12th June, take a short vacation from 13th June to 2nd July, and finally return to school from 3rd July to 4th September 2026.
Support Measures for Online and Off-Campus Learning
Management emphasized that online and off-campus learning periods are not breaks or holidays. Instead, they are an essential and compulsory part of the academic programme and count fully toward teaching and learning time.
To ensure effective participation, GES has introduced several support measures. Students will be guided through projects, tasks, and assignments drawn from approved textbooks and curriculum materials, all of which are freely accessible on the curriculumresources.edu.gh platform.
In addition, daily lessons will be broadcast live on the Ministry of Education Television (MoE TV), available on Multi TV. Schools that already operate Learning Management Systems (LMS) have also been encouraged to fully activate them during online learning periods, with Management pledging support where needed.
Call to Stakeholders
GES Management stated that these multiple learning avenues are designed to ensure that every student can access instruction, regardless of location or resources. Heads of schools, teachers, parents, and guardians have therefore been urged to take these arrangements seriously and actively support and supervise students to ensure full participation.
The Service concluded by reaffirming its commitment to maintaining academic continuity while adapting to the realities of transition schooling, stressing that cooperation from all stakeholders is critical to the success of the 2025/2026 academic year.
