The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the cancellation of the two-day mid-term break scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2026, for basic schools across the country, as part of measures to recover instructional hours lost during the recent industrial action.
In an official communication, management of the Ghana Education Service explained that the decision was necessary to ensure that teaching and learning activities continue without further disruption and that pupils receive the required instructional hours for the academic year.
The announcement means that all basic schools in Ghana are expected to remain open and undertake normal academic activities on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, 2026, instead of observing the previously scheduled mid-term holiday.
The decision affects pupils, teachers, parents, guardians and school administrators who had anticipated the two-day break as part of the academic calendar.
GES Explains Reason for Cancelling November Mid-Term Break
According to the management of the Ghana Education Service, the cancellation forms part of efforts to compensate for teaching and learning time lost during the recent industrial action that disrupted academic activities in some schools.
The Service indicated that retaining the November 5 and 6 break could further reduce the available instructional hours, making it necessary to use the two days for normal classroom activities.
The decision is therefore intended to provide additional teaching and learning time to support the effective implementation of the academic programme.
Recovering instructional hours lost through industrial action remains important to ensuring that teachers have adequate time to complete their respective syllabuses, while pupils are given sufficient opportunities to cover the required topics and prepare for academic assessments.
Basic Schools to Operate Normal Academic Activities on November 5 and 6
Following the directive, all basic schools are expected to open and operate normally on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, 2026.
This means that pupils are expected to report to school, while teachers and other relevant staff are required to continue their regular academic responsibilities during the two days.
School heads and administrators are also expected to communicate the development to parents and guardians to ensure that the cancellation of the break does not create confusion within their respective school communities.
Parents who had already made arrangements based on the earlier mid-term break dates are advised to adjust their plans accordingly and ensure that their children attend school on both days.
What the GES Announcement Means for Teachers, Parents and Pupils
The cancellation of the mid-term break has implications for the various stakeholders within Ghana’s basic education sector.
For teachers, the two additional school days provide an opportunity to continue classroom instruction and make progress towards completing the prescribed curriculum.
For pupils, the directive means that the anticipated mid-term holiday will no longer take place on the scheduled dates, as normal lessons and other academic activities are expected to continue.
Parents and guardians are equally encouraged to take note of the revised arrangement and make the necessary adjustments to their children’s schedules.
The Ghana Education Service has specifically urged teachers, students, parents, guardians and the general public to be guided by the announcement.
GES Calls for Cooperation from Education Stakeholders
Management of the Ghana Education Service has expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their cooperation and continued commitment to improving the quality of education in the country.
The service expects all relevant parties to support the implementation of the directive to ensure that the lost instructional hours are adequately recovered.
The latest decision also highlights the importance of protecting teaching and learning time, particularly following disruptions that affect the academic calendar.
For now, basic school pupils and teachers should take note that November 5 and 6, 2026, will be regular school days and not mid-term holidays.
Parents and guardians are therefore advised to ensure that their children report to school as expected, while school authorities are encouraged to communicate the directive to all relevant stakeholders.
The Ghana Education Service’s decision is aimed at minimising the impact of the recent industrial action on academic progress and ensuring that teaching and learning activities remain on course for the 2026/2027 academic year.