School calendar 2026/27
Opening and closing dates for all three terms in Malawi’s primary and secondary schools, and the holidays between them.
- Opened: 14 Sept 2026
- Ends: 16 July 2027
- 40 learning weeks
Quick answer: Malawi’s 2026/27 school year has three terms. Term 1: 14 September 2026 to 18 December 2026. Term 2: 4 January 2027 to 25 March 2027. Term 3: 12 April 2027 to 16 July 2027. That is 40 learning weeks, with two-week holidays after Terms 1 and 2 and an eight-week holiday after Term 3. The Ministry of Education says every school teaching the national curriculum, public or private, follows these dates.
The three terms
From the Ministry of Education calendar for primary schools, secondary schools and teacher training colleges.
Term 1
Then a 2-week holiday
Term 2
Then a 2-week holiday
Term 3
Then a 8-week holiday
School holidays 2026/27
The weeks between terms, from the ministry's calendar.
- 1
Term 1 closes 18 December
Christmas holiday: two weeks.
- 2
Term 2 opens Monday 4 January 2027
Back to school after New Year.
- 3
Term 2 closes 25 March
Easter holiday: two weeks.
- 4
Term 3 opens Monday 12 April 2027
The last and longest term.
- 5
Term 3 closes 16 July 2027
Long holiday: eight weeks, until the 2027/28 year begins.
Before you plan
What the calendar does and does not cover.
School calendar FAQ
When did schools open in Malawi for 2026/27?
Monday 14 September 2026, for primary schools, secondary schools and teacher training colleges.
When do schools close for Christmas 2026?
Term 1 closes on Friday 18 December 2026. Term 2 opens on Monday 4 January 2027.
When does Term 2 end?
Thursday 25 March 2027. Term 3 opens on Monday 12 April 2027.
When does the 2026/27 school year end?
Term 3 closes on Friday 16 July 2027, followed by an eight-week holiday.
Do private schools follow the same calendar?
The Ministry of Education says all institutions teaching the national curriculum, public and private, must follow it. International schools on other curricula set their own dates.
Are there mid-term breaks?
The national calendar does not list them. Ask your child's school.
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