70 days of school holidays proposed for next year in draft academic calendar

The government has proposed 70 days of holidays for government and non-government secondary and lower secondary educational institutions in the 2027 academic year. The draft academic calendar prepared by the Ministry of Education also proposes that next year's half-yearly and pre-selection examinations begin on 24 June and the annual examinations on 18 November.

If the draft calendar receives final approval, the new academic year could begin on 1 January and end on 31 December.

Under the proposed schedule, the longest break, 24 days, could be given for Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. In addition, 10 days have been proposed for Eid-ul-Azha and the summer vacation, and 11 days for the winter vacation.

According to the proposed calendar, the half-yearly and pre-selection examinations for 2027 could run from 24 June to 11 July. The plan is to finish the examinations within a maximum of 12 working days, with results tentatively set for publication on 27 July.

The selection examinations, meanwhile, could run from 13 October to 1 November, with results tentatively due on 10 November.

The annual examinations and summative assessments have been proposed from 18 November to 5 December, with results tentatively scheduled for 19 December.

The draft calendar proposes that every examination be completed within a maximum of 12 working days.

The longest holiday proposed for 2027 is for the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Under the draft, institutions could remain closed from 8 February to 13 March, which amounts to 24 days excluding weekly holidays.

The proposed holidays include Saraswati Puja on 11 February, Maghi Purnima on 20 February, Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day on 21 February, Jumatul Bida on 5 March, Shivratri on 6 March, Shab-e-Qadr on 7 March and Eid-ul-Fitr on 10 March.

A break from 16 to 27 May has been proposed for Eid-ul-Azha and the summer vacation, which could mean 10 days of closure excluding weekly holidays. Buddha Purnima on 19 May falls within this period.

Towards the end of the year, a break from 14 to 28 December has been proposed for the winter vacation, Victory Day and Christmas, amounting to 11 days excluding weekly holidays.

Under the draft list, one day of holiday each could be given for Shab-e-Meraj on 6 January and Shab-e-Barat on 24 January. In March, holidays have been proposed for Doljatra on 22 March and Easter Sunday on 28 March. As Independence and National Day on 26 March falls on a Friday, no separate holiday has been counted for it.

In April, one day each could be given for the appearance of Harichand Thakur on 4 April, the Boisabi festival on 12 April, Chaitra Sankranti on 13 April and Pahela Boishakh on 14 April. No separate holiday has been proposed for May Day on 1 May as it falls on a Saturday, while one day could be given for Ashura on 16 June.

In July, one day each has been proposed for Ashari Purnima on 18 July and Ashari Char Seba on 28 July. In August, holidays could be given for July Uprising Day on 5 August, Eid-e-Miladunnabi on 15 August and Janmashtami on 25 August.

In September, one day each has been proposed for Fateha-e-Yazdaham on 13 September, Madhu Purnima on 15 September and Mahalaya on 30 September. For Durga Puja in October, three days could be given from 7 to 11 October excluding weekly holidays, along with one day each for Lakshmi Puja on 14 October and Shyama Puja on 28 October.

One day of holiday has been proposed for National Revolution and Solidarity Day on 7 November. In addition, two days have been kept as reserved holidays for the head of the institution.

The draft calendar also proposes several instructions on preparing question papers and preserving answer scripts. It says that, apart from public examinations, each school must prepare the question papers for its own examinations, and examinations must not be held using question papers collected from any other source.

Under the proposal, the half-yearly, pre-selection, selection and annual examinations must be held according to the fixed schedule, and the answer scripts of the annual examination must be preserved for at least one year.

The scheduled dates of examinations must not be changed without special reason. If a change is needed, the proposal includes a provision for prior permission from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE).

The draft calendar proposes that regular classes continue in schools that are not examination centres during the SSC examinations. It also says no holiday should be given in a school on the occasion of a visit by a government official.

The proposal also says students should not have their classes stopped or be made to stand on the road as a mark of respect for a reception or an inspection. It also notes that institutions should remain open if admission activities or other examinations need to be held during holidays.

Under the proposed calendar, several national days could be observed in educational institutions in 2027 with due dignity, including Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day on 21 February, Independence and National Day on 26 March, Pahela Boishakh on 14 April, July Uprising Day on 5 August, National Revolution and Solidarity Day on 7 November and Victory Day on 16 December.

Textbooks should also be distributed among students in line with government instructions. However, the academic calendar prepared by the Ministry of Education is still at the draft stage, so the holiday list, examination schedule and other instructions may change before final approval, especially the dates of religious festivals that depend on the sighting of the moon.