Ghana Education Service Announces New Academic Calendar for 2026/2027 Academic Year

The Ghana Education Service has announced a new academic calendar for the 2026/2027 academic year for all public basic and senior high schools across the country.

The new calendar was released on Thursday, October 31, 2026, through a press statement signed by the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, Professor Kwasi Opoku Amankwa. The statement said the calendar has been designed to ensure effective teaching and learning and to harmonize academic activities in all schools.

According to the new calendar, the first term for basic schools will begin on January 13, 2027, and end on April 17, 2027. The second term will start on May 5, 2027, and end on August 1, 2027, while the third term will begin on September 2, 2027, and end on December 5, 2027. For Senior High Schools, the first semester will begin on January 20, 2027, and the second semester will end in early December.

The GES explained that the calendar takes into consideration public holidays, national events, and the need to provide adequate contact hours for students to complete their syllabi. It also includes vacation periods for both students and teachers to rest and prepare for the next academic term.

Professor Opoku Amankwa said the GES has engaged with all stakeholders, including teacher unions, parents, and school heads, before finalizing the calendar. He said the input from stakeholders was crucial in ensuring that the calendar is realistic and workable for all schools, including those in rural areas.

He further stated that all regional and district directors of education have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the new calendar. He warned that no school should alter the calendar without prior approval from the GES headquarters, as any unauthorized changes could disrupt the academic program.

The Ghana National Association of Teachers has welcomed the early release of the calendar. The General Secretary of GNAT, Thomas Musah, said early release will help teachers plan adequately and prepare their lesson notes and teaching materials before school reopens. He also appealed to the government to ensure that teaching and learning materials, including textbooks and furniture, are provided to schools before reopening.

Parents have also reacted to the new calendar. Madam Akua Mensah, a parent in Kumasi, said the early announcement will help parents prepare financially to buy school uniforms, books, and other supplies for their children. She appealed to the GES to maintain the calendar without frequent changes that confuse parents and students.

Some students also shared their views. Kwabena Asare, a final year student at Prempeh College, said the calendar gives them enough time to prepare for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. He said they will use the vacation period to attend extra classes and revise their notes.

The GES has assured the public that it will continue to work with all stakeholders to improve the quality of education in the country. It said it is committed to providing a conducive environment for teaching and learning and to ensuring that every Ghanaian child has access to quality education.

The Service has also advised parents and guardians to support their children’s education by providing them with the necessary learning materials and encouraging them to take their studies seriously to achieve better academic results.

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