Ghana Education Service cancels November mid-term break for basic schools

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cancelled the mid-term break for basic schools originally scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2026. This directive requires all basic educational institutions across the country to remain open and continue with their regular academic activities on those days. The GES issued this order to recover instructional hours that were lost during a recent industrial action by teachers, emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of the academic calendar and ensure that the syllabus is completed on schedule.

The cancellation follows a nationwide strike involving three teacher unions, which lasted nearly two weeks. The industrial action was triggered by disputes over promotions, unpaid salary arrears, and overall conditions of service. According to reports, the strike officially ended on October 9, with teachers returning to the classroom on October 12 after successful negotiations with the government. By calling off the two-day break, the GES intends to provide the necessary teaching time to compensate for the significant disruption to the term's work.

In a statement signed by Daniel Fenyi from the GES Headquarters, the Service urged all stakeholders—including teachers, students, parents, and the general public—to cooperate with the new directive. The GES highlighted the importance of collective effort in ensuring that quality education is not compromised by the recent time lost. All school administrators are expected to ensure attendance on the specified dates to facilitate a smooth continuation of the term and minimize any further impact on student performance.