2026 academic calendar for national and government-aided schools

More than 10,000 new teachers will also be deploy nationwide next month to address the shortage of teachers.

KOTA KINABALU : –  The 2026 academic calendar for national and government-aided schools in Group A states, including Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, will commence on January 11, 2026.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that schools in Group B states, such as Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya, will begin a day later on January 12, 2026.

“This is the result of careful planning and the unwavering commitment of educators at all levels. This effort underscores the Ministry of Education’s (KPM) determination to prioritise the welfare of students, teachers, and all school staff,” Fadhlina said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

The shift follows the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to several years of delayed academic years starting in March. The full 2026 academic calendar can be downloaded from the official ministry portal.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry is also addressing teacher shortages by deploying more than 10,000 new teachers nationwide next month.

According to Malay Mail Online, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh revealed in the Dewan Rakyat that 10,096 new recruits, including graduates from public universities and teacher training institutes, will be placed in schools. This is part of a broader recruitment effort that began in September.

“This is part of a gradual process that involves both the open market and the Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching (PISMP) programme. By the end of this year, we will have recruited a total of 20,141 new teachers,” Wong said.

Wong further noted that the Education Service Commission (SPP) had advertised for Grade DG9 teachers for 2025, with the recruitment process still underway.

He acknowledged the coordination required between multiple agencies, including SPP, the Public Service Department (JPA), and the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT).

To address primary school shortages, the ministry has increased the number of places in the PISMP programme from 6,000 last year to 11,000 this year. This initiative is aimed at training more teachers for the coming years.

For areas still facing shortages, the ministry will offer additional placements through a contract-of-service scheme, allowing qualified graduates to become contract teachers (DG9), with opportunities for further training.

In addition, the ministry is introducing learning clusters to allow teacher candidates to continue their academic qualifications while working and has partnered with KPT to expedite hiring in critical subject areas.

Teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas, have been a pressing issue since 2023.