2026 Malaysia School Holiday – Official Dates for Group A and B
The Ministry of Education Malaysia has released the official 2026 Academic Calendar for national and government-aided primary and secondary schools. The calendar, which spans from January to December 2026, divides schools into Group A and Group B based on weekend arrangements, with each group following slightly different term dates to accommodate regional variations.
Parents and educators can now access comprehensive information about school holidays, term breaks, and public holidays affecting the academic year. The Ministry’s official release includes detailed schedules for both primary and secondary levels, ensuring families can plan ahead for the year ahead.
The calendar accounts for Malaysia’s diverse cultural landscape, incorporating festive holidays such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, and regional celebrations like Kaamatan and Gawai. These holidays are strategically positioned within term breaks to maximize rest periods for students.
What Are the School Holidays in Malaysia for 2026?
Malaysia’s school year follows a three-term structure with four major holiday periods distributed throughout the calendar year. The Ministry of Education has standardized these breaks across all public schools, though start dates vary slightly between Group A and Group B schools due to different weekend arrangements.
March 2026
9 days off
May-June 2026
16 days off
August-September 2026
9 days off
December 2026
27-28 days off
Key Insights for the 2026 Academic Year
- The school year returns to a January start date for 2026, matching the traditional academic calendar pattern.
- All public primary and secondary schools follow identical term structures, with only start dates differing by group.
- Festive holidays are coordinated nationwide but include group-specific additional days for certain celebrations.
- Year-end holidays provide the longest break, spanning approximately four weeks in December.
- Regional festivals like Kaamatan (Sabah and Labuan) and Gawai Dayak (Sarawak) are officially recognized.
- Most festive holidays fall within or overlap with scheduled term breaks.
- The Ministry has published detailed teaching day counts for each period in the official documentation.
Complete 2026 School Holiday Schedule
| Period | Group A Dates | Group B Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Year Start | 11 January 2026 | 12 January 2026 | First day |
| Term 1 Holiday | 20–28 March 2026 | 21–29 March 2026 | 9 days |
| Mid-Year Holiday | 22 May – 6 June 2026 | 23 May – 7 June 2026 | 16 days |
| Term 2 Holiday | 28 August – 5 September 2026 | 29 August – 6 September 2026 | 9 days |
| Year-End Holiday | 4–31 December 2026 | 5–31 December 2026 | 27-28 days |
When Is the Malaysia School Calendar 2026 Released?
The Ministry of Education officially released the 2026 Academic Calendar in October 2025 through an announcement covered by Malaysian news outlets. The calendar was distributed as Surat Siaran KPM Bil. 3 Tahun 2025, making it available to schools and the public well before the academic year began.
This release timing follows the Ministry’s established pattern of publishing annual calendars during the fourth quarter of the preceding year. Schools received the information through official channels, while parents and guardians could access the details through the Ministry’s website and various educational news platforms.
The 2026 calendar became publicly available in late October 2025, providing approximately two and a half months before the school year commenced in January 2026. This advance notice allows families sufficient time to organize travel plans, childcare arrangements, and other commitments around the academic schedule.
Where to Find the Malaysia School Calendar 2026 PDF?
The official Kalendar Akademik 2026 document can be downloaded directly from the Ministry of Education’s website. The PDF contains comprehensive information including teaching day counts, detailed term schedules, and all official variations documented in Malay language.
The primary download link is available through the Ministry’s official document repository, which hosts the complete Surat Siaran KPM Bil. 3 Tahun 2025. Parents seeking the full official version with all annexes and detailed breakdowns should use this direct link to the PDF.
What Information Does the Official PDF Contain?
The official calendar document provides detailed breakdowns that extend beyond the summary dates widely reported. Specific information includes teaching day counts for each term period—for example, Group A schools have 44 teaching days before the mid-year break, while mid-year period counts are also documented. The PDF outlines all variations between states and groups in their original Malay language format.
For those seeking the most authoritative and detailed reference, the Ministry’s dedicated calendar page serves as the central hub for accessing this documentation. The page also provides links to additional official resources and updates related to the academic calendar.
When downloading the official PDF, ensure you have a stable internet connection as the document contains multiple pages with detailed schedules. The file is best viewed on a desktop or tablet for optimal readability of the tabular information.
How Do School Holidays Vary by State and School Type in 2026?
Malaysia’s school holiday schedule recognizes two primary groupings that determine slight variations in dates. Group A comprises schools in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, where the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. Group B includes all other states and federal territories, following the conventional Saturday-Sunday weekend pattern.
Festive Holidays Affecting the School Calendar
Several festive occasions influence school schedules throughout 2026. Traveloka’s calendar overview details how these celebrations create extended breaks in various regions.
- Chinese New Year: Group A observes 17–18 February 2026, while Group B celebrates 23–24 February 2026. An additional day on 16 February is granted to both groups.
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri: The main celebration falls on 21–22 March 2026, which conveniently coincides with the Term 1 holiday period. Additional days include 19 March for all groups and 20 March specifically for Group B.
- Kaamatan Festival: Recognized in Sabah and Labuan on 30–31 May 2026, falling within the mid-year holiday period.
- Gawai Dayak: Celebrated in Sarawak on 1–2 June 2026, also during the mid-year break.
- Deepavali: Falling on Sunday, 8 November 2026, additional holidays of 9–10 November apply to all states except Sarawak, which receives only 9 November as the extra day.
- Christmas Day: 25 December 2026 occurs during the year-end holiday.
Regional Considerations
The calendar explicitly notes that no major state-specific term break differences exist beyond the Group A and Group B division. However, festive holidays receive minor adjustments based on regional significance. For instance, states with larger Chinese populations receive adjusted Chinese New Year dates, while East Malaysian states have dedicated holidays for cultural celebrations.
Private and international schools operate under different regulations and may follow alternative calendars. Parents with children in non-government schools should confirm schedules directly with their institutions, as these establishments are not bound by the Ministry’s official academic calendar.
Private schools are not required to follow the Ministry of Education’s published calendar. Families with children in private institutions should verify holiday schedules directly with their school administration, as term dates and breaks may differ significantly from the public school schedule outlined here.
Key Dates and Milestones for Malaysia’s 2026 School Year
Understanding the chronological progression of the academic year helps parents and students prepare effectively. The following timeline outlines critical dates from announcement through year-end.
- October 2025: Ministry of Education officially releases the 2026 Academic Calendar to the public and schools.
- 11-12 January 2026: School year commences, with Group A starting on the 11th and Group B on the 12th.
- February 2026: Chinese New Year celebrations create the first major festive break, with dates varying by group.
- 20-29 March 2026: Term 1 holiday period, coinciding with Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
- 22 May – 7 June 2026: Mid-year holiday spanning approximately two weeks, with regional variations.
- 28 August – 6 September 2026: Term 2 holiday providing a brief respite before the final term.
- November 2026: Deepavali falls early in the month, with additional holidays extending the break for most states.
- 4-31 December 2026: Year-end holiday, the longest break in the academic calendar.
What Information Is Confirmed Versus Variable?
The Ministry of Education’s official release provides definitive information for the majority of the 2026 academic year. The following assessment distinguishes between established facts and areas where minor variations may occur.
| Established Information | Areas with Potential Variation |
|---|---|
| All term break dates for both groups | Private school schedules may differ |
| Group A and Group B classifications | Emergency school closures due to unforeseen circumstances |
| Major festive holiday dates | Future announcements may add commemorative days |
| Teaching day requirements per term | State-level adjustments for localized celebrations |
| Year-end holiday duration | International school holiday patterns |
Understanding the School Group System in Malaysia
Malaysia’s school calendar system reflects the country’s dual weekend arrangement, which developed historically based on state-level decisions. This division ensures that schools in different regions can accommodate their respective community needs while maintaining consistent educational standards across the nation.
Group A schools, located in states with Friday-Saturday weekends, typically begin their academic year one day earlier than Group B schools. This one-day offset applies throughout term breaks, with Group A holidays commencing and concluding one day before their Group B counterparts. The system has been in place for decades and is widely understood by families living across different regions.
The Ministry’s official website maintains updated information regarding group classifications and any changes to the regional grouping system. Families relocating between states should verify which group applies to their new location to ensure accurate planning.
Official Sources and References
The primary authoritative source for Malaysia’s 2026 school calendar is the Ministry of Education’s official documentation. The calendar was published as Surat Siaran KPM Bil. 3 Tahun 2025 and distributed through official government channels to all national and government-aided primary and secondary schools.
The Ministry of Education Malaysia officially announced the 2026 Academic Calendar return to January start date, with the full calendar now available online through official channels and the MOE portal.
— Malay Mail, October 2025
Secondary verification can be obtained through educational news outlets including The Star and other Malaysian publications that regularly report on education matters. The Sinar Daily also provides coverage of Ministry announcements related to school schedules.
Summary: Planning Ahead for Malaysia’s 2026 School Year
The Ministry of Education Malaysia’s 2026 Academic Calendar provides comprehensive guidance for families navigating the upcoming school year. With term breaks distributed across March, May-June, August-September, and December, parents have multiple reference points for planning family activities and travel. The distinction between Group A and Group B schools remains the primary source of variation, with regional festive holidays adding minor adjustments to specific dates.
For the most accurate and detailed information, the official PDF download from the Ministry’s website remains the definitive reference. Families should bookmark the Ministry’s calendar page for easy access to any updates or amendments that may occur throughout the year.
Understanding the interplay between term breaks, festive holidays, and regional variations helps parents maximize rest time while ensuring children return to school prepared for each academic term. For related information about managing school-related stress, see our guide on understanding anxiety responses in students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What public holidays affect schools in Malaysia during 2026?
The main public holidays impacting schools include Chinese New Year (February), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (March), Kaamatan (May in Sabah/Labuan), Gawai Dayak (June in Sarawak), Deepavali (November), and Christmas Day (December). Additional MOE-granted holidays extend these celebrations.
When does the 2026 school year start in Malaysia?
Group A schools (Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu) begin on 11 January 2026. Group B schools (all other states and federal territories) start on 12 January 2026.
How long is the year-end school holiday in Malaysia 2026?
Group A schools have 28 days of year-end holiday from 4–31 December 2026. Group B schools have 27 days from 5–31 December 2026.
What is the mid-term break date for Malaysia schools in 2026?
The mid-year holiday runs from 22 May to 6 June 2026 for Group A schools, and 23 May to 7 June 2026 for Group B schools.
Where can I download the official MOE 2026 school calendar PDF?
The official Kalendar Akademik 2026 PDF is available through the Ministry of Education’s document repository.
Do private schools follow the same calendar as public schools in Malaysia?
No, private schools are not bound by the Ministry of Education’s official academic calendar. They may follow different term dates and holiday schedules. Parents should confirm arrangements directly with their child’s private school.
What is the difference between Group A and Group B schools in Malaysia?
Group A consists of schools in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu (Friday-Saturday weekend), while Group B includes all other states (Saturday-Sunday weekend). This results in slightly different term dates, with Group A starting and ending holidays one day earlier.
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