Postponed? Good News for Students & Parents as Govt Confirms Official School Reopening Date

Parents, teachers and learners have been advised to make the necessary arrangements for the reopening of schools after the Ministry of Education confirmed that the third term of the 2026 academic year will start on Monday, August 24, 2026.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has rejected claims circulating on social media that the reopening date had been postponed until September. According to the Ministry, the notice being circulated online is fraudulent and was not issued by the government.

The Ministry issued the clarification on Wednesday, August 19, following growing confusion among parents, teachers and learners. The false communication reportedly suggested that secondary and senior schools would remain closed until September 15, prompting some families to delay their preparations for the new term.

Officials have emphasized that there has been no amendment to the approved 2026 academic calendar. As a result, all schools are expected to reopen on August 24 as initially scheduled.

The Ministry has urged education stakeholders to obtain information about the academic calendar only from authorized government channels.

Parents and guardians have also been cautioned against forwarding unverified messages, particularly those shared through social media platforms, as such information can create unnecessary uncertainty.

The third term will be particularly significant for learners because it marks the final phase of the 2026 academic year. Candidates preparing for national examinations and other assessments will have to use the term effectively as they approach important academic milestones.

With only a few days remaining before schools reopen, parents are expected to complete outstanding preparations. These include purchasing uniforms and other learning materials, settling required school payments and making sure learners are ready to report on the first day of the term.

The Ministry’s clarification also comes amid continued calls for schools to maintain discipline and ensure that learners have a secure and supportive environment in which to study.

For now, the official position remains unchanged: schools will reopen on Monday, August 24, 2026. Parents, teachers and learners should therefore disregard the false postponement notice and rely on the official academic calendar for accurate information concerning the school term.