Malaysia’s Ministry of Education Sets Out School Days in 2027

The Ministry of Education has confirmed the official school calendar for 2027, detailing term dates, holidays, and state-grouping arrangements for all primary and secondary schools across Malaysia. The schedule determines the total number of school days in 2027, a figure closely watched by parents, educators, and education planners for planning family holidays, tuition schedules, and school operations.

Under the published calendar, the academic year will begin in early January for schools in Group A states and in mid-January for Group B states, continuing the established regional grouping system. Group A covers Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu, and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. Group B includes Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan, and Putrajaya. The staggered start aligns with the differing school week patterns observed in each group, ensuring that the total number of school days in 2027 remains consistent across the country when adjusted for state-level holidays.

The calendar divides the year into three main terms, each separated by a one-week mid-term break and a longer year-end holiday. Term 1 runs from early January to early March, followed by a one-week break. Term 2 spans from mid-March to late May, with another one-week break. Term 3 covers mid-June to late November, culminating in the year-end school holidays that last through December. This structure gives a clear picture of the distribution of school days in 2027 and helps families plan around peak travel periods and examination schedules.

Term and Holiday Dates for Group A and Group B

For Group A states, the first term starts on 2 January 2027 and ends on 9 March 2027. The mid-term break runs from 10 March to 16 March. Term 2 begins on 17 March and ends on 23 May, with a break from 24 May to 30 May. The third term starts on 31 May and ends on 25 November. The year-end holiday spans from 26 November to 31 December 2027.

For Group B states, the first term opens on 9 January 2027 and finishes on 16 March 2027, with a break from 17 March to 23 March. Term 2 runs from 24 March to 30 May, followed by a break from 31 May to 6 June. The third term starts on 7 June and ends on 2 December. The year-end holiday runs from 3 December to 31 December 2027.

Public holidays observed nationally are factored into the calendar. Schools will close on all federal public holidays, including Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Aidiladha, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and National Day. State holidays specific to each state are also observed, which explains slight variations in term lengths between states within the same group. The ministry has issued a full breakdown of gazetted holidays for each state to avoid confusion.

State Grouping and Its Impact on School Days

The grouping system remains unchanged from previous years. Group A states follow a Monday-to-Friday school week, while Group B states observe a Sunday-to-Thursday school week. This difference affects the total number of school days in 2027 only marginally, as the calendar adjusts for the different weekend patterns. For example, schools in Group B have a shorter week but compensate with additional teaching days spread across the year. The net effect is that students in both groups receive the same minimum number of instructional days as mandated by the Ministry of Education.

Parents and guardians should note that the calendar applies to all government and government-aided schools. Private and international schools may follow different schedules, though many align with the national calendar for convenience. The ministry recommends that families check with individual schools for any school-specific variations, particularly concerning examination periods and co-curricular activities.

Examination Periods and Key Dates

Major national examinations, including the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), are scheduled within the third term. The exact dates are typically announced separately by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate. Based on the calendar, the third term provides a continuous 21-week stretch of teaching time, which educators consider sufficient for completing the syllabus and conducting revision before the exams.

School-based assessments and internal examinations are left to the discretion of individual schools, but the ministry advises that they be conducted within the term periods. The calendar includes no additional breaks for internal exams, meaning schools must schedule them during normal school hours. This arrangement avoids extending the total number of school days in 2027 beyond the official count.

Planning for Families and Educators

The published calendar allows families to plan holidays well in advance. The two mid-term breaks and the long year-end holiday offer natural windows for travel. Many parents use the calendar to book flights and accommodation early, especially during the year-end period when domestic and international travel peaks. Educators use the calendar to plan curriculum delivery, professional development days, and parent-teacher meetings.

School administrators should note that the ministry requires all schools to complete a minimum of 190 school days per year, excluding public holidays. The 2027 calendar meets this requirement for both state groups. Any school that closes for additional reasons, such as natural disasters or local health advisories, must make up the lost days to remain compliant.

The ministry has also reminded schools that co-curricular activities, including sports, uniformed groups, and clubs, are expected to be scheduled outside of formal teaching hours. The calendar does not allocate separate days for these activities, which means they must be integrated into the existing school week without reducing instructional time.

Regional Variations and Local Observances

While the national calendar provides a standard framework, individual states may add local holidays that affect school closure days. For example, Kelantan and Terengganu observe additional Islamic holidays, while Sabah and Sarawak have their own state holidays. The ministry publishes a separate state-level holiday list that schools must follow. Parents are advised to consult that list alongside the main calendar to get a complete picture of closure days for their state.

The calendar also accounts for the Chinese New Year period, which falls in late January 2027. Schools in both groups will observe the standard two-day closure for the festival. Similarly, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected to fall in mid-April 2027, and the calendar includes a week-long break around that period for all states. Deepavali is scheduled for late October 2027, and the calendar provides a two-day closure for states that celebrate it.

These adjustments mean that the actual number of school days in 2027 varies slightly by state, but the ministry ensures that the total teaching hours remain equivalent. For instance, states that observe more public holidays may have shorter term breaks to compensate, keeping the academic year consistent in length.

Conclusion of the 2027 Calendar

The Ministry of Education has published the complete 2027 school calendar on its official portal, along with a downloadable PDF version. Schools are required to display the calendar prominently and distribute copies to parents at the start of the academic year. The calendar is also available through state education departments and district education offices.

About the 2027 school calendar in Malaysia: this guide provides a comprehensive reference to the official school calendar issued by the Ministry of Education, including term dates, public holidays, and state groupings for Group A and Group B states. It is designed to help families, educators, and administrators plan the academic year efficiently.