The Government has officially announced a new holiday schedule for all public and private educational institutions across the country for the 2026 academic year. The schedule, which covers both primary and secondary schools, has been issued through official notifications from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the Ministry of Education. It incorporates religious observances such as Ramadan and Eid, as well as national commemorations including Independence Day, and other significant events.
According to the new schedule, the upcoming school holiday period will commence on Thursday, 19 February, and continue until Thursday, 26 March. As 26 March falls on a Thursday, teachers and staff are permitted to extend their leave until Saturday, 28 March. Regular weekly holidays (Saturdays and Sundays) during this period will be included in the total count of holiday days.
The official notification, released on Tuesday evening, includes a complete list of holidays along with the academic calendar for the year. Primary schools will observe a total of 26 days of leave during this period, covering Ramadan, Eid, and other prescribed holidays. Secondary and lower-secondary schools will follow the same schedule.
The Ministry has emphasised that schools must remain operational for administrative inspections, official visits, and formal events. Students are not permitted to remain on school premises during holidays unless attending essential activities, including admission procedures or other mandatory functions. Additionally, important national and cultural observances, such as International Mother Language Day on 21 February, Independence Day on 26 March, Victory Day on 16 December, and the Bengali New Year, must be celebrated in all schools with appropriate programmes.
The following table provides a detailed overview of the holiday schedule for the 2026 academic year:
| School Level | Reason for Holiday | Date Range | Total Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Ramadan and Eid | 19 February – 26 March | 26 |
| Secondary & Lower-Secondary | Ramadan and Eid | 19 February – 26 March | 26 |
| Primary | Summer Vacation | May | 10 |
| Primary | Eid al-Adha | Included within Summer Vacation | – |
| Primary | Winter Vacation & Christmas | December | 8 |
| Primary | Head Teacher’s Reserved Leave | Throughout the year | 2 |
Excluding weekly holidays, primary schools will observe a total of 67 holiday days throughout the year.
The revised schedule is designed to assist schools in planning their academic activities efficiently while allowing students to fully benefit from their designated breaks. School administrators have been urged to adhere to the official calendar to ensure consistent and equitable observance of holidays across all educational institutions.
By implementing this schedule, the Government aims to create a well-coordinated educational environment that balances uninterrupted learning with opportunities for student rest, celebration, and cultural observance.