Education Reforms 2026: Official Circular Released

The Ministry of Education has released official guidelines on school timetables and related arrangements for 2026 in line with the new education reforms.

Accordingly, the first school term for all grades except Grades 1 and 6 will commence on 5 January 2026. Grade 6 academic activities will begin on 21 January, while administrative admissions based on Grade 5 Scholarship Examination results may be carried out from 5 January. The identification of students for Grade 1 will also start on 5 January, with formal academic activities scheduled to commence on 29 January 2026.

School hours for 2026 will remain unchanged, operating from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. The previously proposed extension of school hours until 2.00 p.m. has been suspended due to the impact of recent natural disasters on school facilities and transport networks.

Under the new education reforms, implementation will begin in 2026 for Grades 1 and 6. Revised timetable guidelines already issued will apply to Grades 1 to 4 and Grade 5, while Grades 6 to 13 will continue with seven periods per day, each of 45 minutes, with only minor timing adjustments to existing schedules.