After years of pandemic disruption, schools revert to January academic calendar in 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the academic calendar for all government and government-aided schools will return to a January start in 2026, officially ending years of pandemic-induced disruptions to the national education schedule.
The shift back to the traditional calendar follows a carefully planned, gradual adjustment from the February/March start dates implemented since 2022.
The initial change was a necessary measure to address extended school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, which required lengthening the 2021 school year to allow students to cover the syllabus and for teachers to conduct proper assessments.
According to the ministry’s announcement, schools in Group A states will commence the academic year on Sunday, Jan 11, 2026.
States and federal territories in Group B will begin a day later on Monday, Jan 12. The academic year for both groups is scheduled to conclude on Dec 31, 2026.
Group A comprises states with a Sunday-Thursday school week: Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
Group B comprises states and territories with a Monday-Friday school week: Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.
This move follows a phased approach, with the current 2025 academic year having started in mid-February, a step forward from the March commencement of the 2024 session.
