Ghana’s basic schools will stay open on 5 and 6 November 2026 after the Ghana Education Service cancelled the two-day mid-term break, so that schools can recover teaching hours lost during the recent nationwide teachers’ strike.
FAKTA
- The Ghana Education Service cancelled the mid-term break scheduled for Thursday, 5 November and Friday, 6 November 2026 for basic schools.
- All basic schools are directed to remain open and conduct normal academic activities on both days.
- The decision aims to recover instructional hours lost during the recent industrial action by teachers.
- The strike was declared on 25 September 2026 by GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG, and suspended on 9 October.
- The GES notice was issued on Monday, 2 November 2026 and signed by Daniel Fenyi of GES Headquarters.
Ghana mid-term break cancelled to recover lost lessons
In a notice issued on Monday, 2 November, the Ghana Education Service directed all basic schools across the country to remain open and conduct normal academic activities on the two days initially designated for the break.
The decision is intended to provide additional teaching time to make up for lessons lost during the industrial action, which disrupted academic activities in public schools across the country.
Why the break was cancelled
The strike was declared on 25 September 2026 by three teacher unions: the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) and the Pre-Tertiary Teachers Association of Ghana (PRETAG).
The unions struck over concerns including teachers’ promotions, unpaid salary arrears, allowances and conditions of service. The industrial action was suspended on 9 October following engagements between the unions and government representatives, including the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment.
Teachers returned to classrooms on Monday, 12 October, after reaching an agreement with the government on timelines for addressing their demands.
What schools and parents should do
With the cancellation of the break, pupils and teachers in basic schools will now be required to report for normal academic activities on Thursday, 5 November and Friday, 6 November.
The Ghana Education Service has advised teachers, students, parents, guardians and the general public to take note of the change, and has appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate as it works to ensure that lost teaching and learning time is recovered.
