Malaysia Ministry of Education Confirms School Break Dates 2027 for National Schools

The Ministry of Education has finalised the school break dates 2027 for all national schools under the KPM system, providing clarity for parents, educators, and travel planners across Malaysia. The official calendar divides the academic year into three main terms, with breaks aligned to major festivals and the year-end holidays. State-level variations remain in place for Group A and Group B schools, reflecting local observances and public holiday adjustments.

Three-Term Structure for 2027

The 2027 school year begins in early March and runs through late February of the following year, maintaining the standard pattern set by the Ministry. Each term is separated by a mid-term break of one to two weeks, with the longest recess coming at the end of the academic year. The school break dates 2027 follow this rhythm: Term 1 starts in March and ends in May, Term 2 runs from June to August, and Term 3 spans September to November, with the year-end break covering December through February.

For Group A schools, those in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, the term start and end dates shift slightly to accommodate the Saturday-to-Thursday school week. Group B schools, covering all other states and the federal territories, follow a Monday-to-Friday schedule. The Ministry coordinates both groupings so that national examinations, including the SPM and STPM, proceed on identical dates across the country.

Key Holiday Breaks

The calendar incorporates several extended breaks around major celebrations. The Hari Raya Aidilfitri break is expected to fall in April, lasting roughly one week, though the exact dates depend on the moon sighting. The Deepavali break takes place in October or November, also for a week. The Chinese New Year break in February 2028 will fall after the academic year closes, so the 2027 calendar does not include it as a term-time holiday.

State-specific holidays such as the Sultan of Terengganu's birthday, the Gawai Dayak celebration in Sarawak, and the Kaamatan harvest festival in Sabah are observed as local school holidays. Schools in states with additional public holidays adjust their term calendars accordingly, but the core school break dates 2027 remain consistent for all national schools.

Term Dates in Detail

Term 1 of the 2027 school year runs from 1 March 2027 to 27 May 2027. The mid-term break follows from 28 May to 12 June 2027, giving students and teachers two weeks off. Term 2 resumes on 13 June 2027 and concludes on 19 August 2027, with a one-week mid-term break from 20 to 26 August 2027. Term 3 begins on 27 August 2027 and ends on 23 November 2027. The year-end school holidays start on 24 November 2027 and last until 26 February 2028, when the next academic year begins.

For Group A schools, the dates shift forward by one day for term starts and ends, and the mid-term breaks are one day shorter to align with the weekend structure. The Ministry publishes separate gazetted calendars for each group, and schools are required to display them on their notice boards and official websites.

What This Means for Families and Travel

The release of the school break dates 2027 allows families to plan holidays, tuition schedules, and childcare well in advance. Travel operators and hoteliers in Malaysia typically see a surge in bookings during the mid-term and year-end breaks, and the early confirmation helps the tourism industry allocate resources. Parents are advised to check their specific state's calendar on the Ministry of Education portal or through their child's school, as last-minute adjustments sometimes occur due to unforeseen public holiday declarations.

The Ministry also reminds the public that the national examination timetable is fixed independently of the school break schedule. Students sitting for the SPM, STPM, and other major exams should expect examination leave to be granted by their schools, which may affect family travel plans during the exam period.

State Groupings and Variations

Malaysia's school system operates on two distinct group calendars to accommodate the different working weeks. Group A states, Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, observe a Saturday-to-Thursday school week, with Friday as the weekly holiday. Group B states, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Sabah, Sarawak, and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan, follow a Monday-to-Friday week.

The difference means that term start dates, break periods, and the number of school days per term vary slightly between the two groups. For example, a Group A school might start its term on a Sunday, while a Group B school starts on a Monday. The total number of instructional days remains the same for both groups, ensuring that the national curriculum is delivered uniformly.

Schools in Sarawak and Sabah also observe additional local holidays, such as the Gawai Dayak (1-2 June) and the Kaamatan Festival (30-31 May), which are not public holidays in Peninsular Malaysia. These are gazetted as school holidays in the respective states, and the term calendars are adjusted accordingly. Parents in those states should refer to the state education department's gazette for the exact dates.

Ministry of Education Guidelines

The Ministry of Education issues a circular every year, usually in the third quarter of the preceding year, confirming the school break dates for the following academic year. The circular includes the term dates, mid-term breaks, examination periods, and the year-end holidays. Schools are required to follow the gazetted calendar strictly, and any changes must be approved by the state education director.

The Ministry also provides a standard template for schools to publish their own calendars, which includes space for school-specific events such as sports day, co-curricular activities, and parent-teacher meetings. The national school break dates 2027 form the backbone of these local calendars.

Planning Ahead

For families planning international travel during the school breaks, the early release of the calendar is a significant advantage. Airlines, tour operators, and hotels often offer early-bird discounts for bookings made months in advance. The year-end break, lasting from late November to late February, is the longest and most popular period for family holidays, and securing bookings early can result in substantial savings.

Parents are also reminded that the school break dates 2027 may be subject to change if the government declares an unexpected public holiday, such as a state election polling day or a national day of mourning. In such cases, the Ministry will issue a supplementary circular and schools will adjust their calendars accordingly. It is advisable to check for updates closer to the date.

Examination Periods

The national examination timetable for 2027 is expected to be released separately by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate. The SPM written examination typically runs from early November to mid-December, while the STPM examination spans from November to January. Examination leave is granted to candidates, which means they are not required to attend school during the exam period, but the school calendar itself does not change.

Students taking the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and the Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3) will have their examination schedules announced by their respective schools. These exams usually take place in September and October, and the results are released in December or January.

About the School Calendar Guide

This information is provided as a guide to the 2027 school calendar in Malaysia, including holidays, term dates, and state groupings by the Ministry of Education. The details are based on the standard pattern published by the Ministry and are subject to confirmation through official channels. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, parents and educators should refer to the Ministry of Education's official circular or their child's school.