2026 academic calendar changed, taking into account parents' wishes

Next year's academic calendar has been released after changes were made to shift the yearly holiday to December.

When the yearly holiday was changed to June/July in 2021 by the previous administration, parents expressed that it was a tough time to travel with their children and spend time together due to it being the southwest monsoon (wet season).

During President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's presidential campaign, a lot of people wanted him to change the academic year back to the way it was. This went on to become one of his pledges.

The Education Ministry released a tentative academic calendar for 2026 yesterday, with school starting on 27th January. The mid term break is set from 24th March to 30th March. The break for the first school term is set from 17th July to 1st August.

The second school term is set to begin on 2nd August, with the mid term break running from 13th September to 19th September. The yearly holiday has been set from 18th December to 12th January.

- A Level studies begin on 7th June.

- First term exams are from 30th June to 9th July.

- Camps and other activities: Key Stage Study Camp 1 and 2 from 22nd August to 25th August.

- Student school transfer: 18th October to 17th November.

- Professional Development Day: 1st March to 8th March and again on 12th November.

- Second term exams are from 1st December to 10th December.

- Academic year of 2027 to begin on 13th January.

Maldives has always had its academic year begin in January. However, the academic year was changed due to the slowdown of Covid-19 and also upon requests from the tourism sector, moving the academic year to August and extending it from one year to one year and a half.

Education Minister Dr. Ismail Shafeeu told Mihaaru News that he had received help from Kendhoo MP, Secretary General to the Tourism Employees Association and President of the Maldives Trade Union Mauroof "Matey" Zakir in changing the yearly holiday to December.

"I received quite a bit of help from Mauroof in making the calendar. I also got a lot of opinions from the tourism industry as well. The calendar was made with two weeks of holiday in the middle to accommodate the needs of tourism employees," said the minister.

"With the changes to the calendar, there will be holidays totaling four weeks across three occasions from May to September."

Next year's calendar has separated days where students are taught in school and half days. Children's Day and Teacher's Day will also be half days.

The Education Minister went on to say that the changes were decided to clear up days of importance, holidays and public holidays.