Unified schedule gives public and private schools a clear roadmap for the 2026/2027 session, with 182 school days and compliance guidelines.

The Lagos State Government on Thursday in Lagos formally unveiled the Lagos 2026 Academic Calendar, confirming September 14, 2026, as the resumption date for public and private primary and secondary schools and providing families, teachers and school administrators with an early roadmap for the 2026/2027 academic session.

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The harmonised calendar, approved after extensive consultations with education stakeholders, is designed to ensure greater coordination across schools while giving institutions enough time to prepare for the new academic year.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the timetable emerged from two stakeholder meetings facilitated by the Office of Education Quality Assurance, where participants jointly reviewed and agreed on the key dates for the session.

“According to the Commissioner, the calendar was finalised after two stakeholders’ meetings where participants reviewed and agreed on key dates for the new academic session,” the ministry said in a statement.

The approved schedule shows that the first term will begin on Monday, September 14, 2026, and run until Monday, December 21, 2026, with a one-week mid-term break from November 2 to November 6.

The second term is scheduled to commence on January 11, 2027, while the third and final term will begin on May 3, 2027, bringing the academic year to a close on July 30, 2027.

Altogether, pupils and students will spend 182 school days in classrooms during the session, reflecting the state’s effort to maintain a structured and predictable academic calendar.

Mr Alli-Balogun described the harmonised timetable as an important step towards strengthening educational planning and improving learning outcomes across Lagos.

“The unified calendar reflects the state government’s commitment to improving the quality of education and ensuring a well-organised academic year,” the commissioner said, urging all public and private schools to comply fully with the approved schedule.

Beyond term dates, the calendar incorporates events that shape the rhythm of the school year. Schools will observe International Literacy Day on September 8, 2026, and International Day of Education on January 24, 2027, while mandatory Open Days will be held every term, allowing parents and teachers to review pupils’ academic progress at times determined by individual schools.

A thoughtful addition to the calendar is a dedicated window for staff professional development. Schools have been permitted to choose any two days between September 7 and September 11, 2026, for teacher training, recognising the importance of continuous professional learning before pupils return to classrooms.

The document also accommodates schools offering international curricula. Such institutions may apply for limited flexibility where examination schedules or curriculum requirements fall outside the state’s approved timetable. However, applications must be submitted by August 21, 2026, in line with government guidelines.

Public holidays, including Independence Day, Eid celebrations, Easter holidays, Workers’ Day and Democracy Day, have been incorporated into the schedule, although the government noted that adjustments would follow any changes announced by the Federal Government.

The harmonised calendar continues a policy introduced by Lagos State to create greater uniformity across public and private schools, reducing disparities in term dates and improving planning for examinations, teacher development and school supervision.

In recent years, the Office of Education Quality Assurance has worked with school proprietors, education administrators and other stakeholders to agree on annual calendars that balance curriculum delivery with national holidays and international observances.

By publishing the calendar well ahead of the new session, the state government hopes schools, parents and learners can make informed preparations, minimise disruptions and sustain the steady rhythm that has become a defining feature of Lagos’ education planning.

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Members of the public have been advised to access the complete academic calendar through the Office of Education Quality Assurance website and other official Lagos State Government digital platforms for detailed guidance on term activities and compliance requirements.