The Ghana Education Service has cancelled the November 5 and 6 mid-term break for basic schools to recover instructional hours lost during the recent industrial action. All basic schools are expected to conduct normal academic activities on both days.
By Ferdinand Ellis
Education Blogger | Curriculum Specialist | Researcher | Policy Analyst
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cancelled the two-day mid-term break scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2026, for basic schools across the country.
The decision means that basic schools are expected to remain open and conduct normal academic activities on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, 2026.
In a notice issued by GES Headquarters, Management explained that the decision forms part of efforts to recover instructional hours lost during the recent industrial action.
The communication, signed by Daniel Fenyi of GES Headquarters, directs teachers, learners, parents, guardians and the general public to take note of the revised arrangement and be guided accordingly.
Article Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication | EducateGhana.com |
| Category | GES News / Basic Education |
| Date | November 2, 2026 |
| Article Type | Official Education Update |
| Primary Topic | Cancellation of the November 2026 basic-school mid-term break |
| Issuing Institution | Ghana Education Service |
| Effective Dates | November 5 and 6, 2026 |
| Source | GES Headquarters |
Why Has GES Cancelled the Mid-Term Break?
According to GES Management, the decision is intended to recover instructional hours lost during the recent industrial action.
Industrial action in the education sector can disrupt the academic calendar, particularly when teaching and learning activities are suspended for a period.
Such disruptions may affect curriculum coverage, lesson delivery, assessment schedules and the time available for teachers to complete planned instructional activities.
By cancelling the two-day break, GES intends to provide additional teaching and learning time to help schools address some of the lost instructional hours.
The decision is therefore directly connected to the Service’s efforts to maintain the academic calendar and minimise further disruption to classroom activities.
Basic Schools to Open on November 5 and 6
GES has directed all basic schools to conduct normal academic activities on the two affected dates.
The revised arrangement is as follows:
| Date | Original Arrangement | Revised Arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 | Mid-term break | Normal academic activities |
| Friday, November 6, 2026 | Mid-term break | Normal academic activities |
This means that learners are expected to report to school, while teachers and school administrators are expected to undertake their normal academic and administrative responsibilities.
Parents and guardians should also take note of the change and make the necessary arrangements for their children’s attendance.
What Teachers, Parents and Learners Should Know
The cancellation affects basic schools, and the GES notice specifically directs these schools to resume or maintain normal academic activities on November 5 and 6.
Teachers should therefore adjust their lesson plans and classroom activities to accommodate the revised calendar.
Headteachers and school administrators should communicate the change to staff, parents and learners to prevent confusion, particularly among families who may already have made arrangements for the mid-term break.
Parents and guardians should ensure that their children attend school on both days.
Learners should also prepare for normal classroom activities rather than assume that the previously announced break remains in force.
Will the Cancellation Affect the Rest of the Academic Calendar?
The GES notice specifically addresses the two-day mid-term break scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2026.
It does not announce any further changes to the academic calendar.
Schools should therefore follow the existing academic calendar for other dates unless GES issues another official communication.
Conclusion
The Ghana Education Service has cancelled the November 5 and 6, 2026 mid-term break for basic schools as part of efforts to recover instructional hours lost during the recent industrial action.
All basic schools are expected to open and conduct normal academic activities on both days.
Teachers, headteachers, parents, guardians and learners should take note of the change and make the necessary preparations to ensure a smooth continuation of teaching and learning.
Source: Ghana Education Service Headquarters, notice on the cancellation of the mid-term break for basic schools, signed by Daniel Fenyi.
By Ferdinand Ellis
Education Blogger | Curriculum Specialist | Researcher | Policy Analyst
About the Author
Ferdinand Ellis writes on Ghana’s education system, curriculum implementation, teacher welfare, education policy and developments affecting basic and secondary education.
EducateGhana.com — Ghana’s Education Intelligence Platform.
