The Ghana Education Service (GES) has cancelled the two-day mid-term break for basic schools that was due on Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6, 2026.
All public basic schools across the country must now stay open on both days to recover instructional time lost during the recent teachers’ strike.
The directive was announced in a notice from GES Management on Monday, November 2, signed by Daniel Fenyi of the GES Headquarters.
The notice says schools should “remain open and conduct normal academic activities” on both days. Teachers, pupils, parents and guardians have been asked to take note and act accordingly.
The decision means pupils who were expecting a four-day weekend will now report to school as usual for the rest of the week.
GES cancels mid-term break for basic schools on November 5 and 6
The two-day mid-term break is normally observed by basic schools nationwide in each term. This term’s break had been fixed for Thursday and Friday this week.
GES says the cancellation is “part of efforts to make up for instructional time lost during the recent industrial action.”
The statement closed by thanking stakeholders “for your cooperation and continued commitment to quality education.”
Why GES cancelled the mid-term break: the teachers’ strike
The lost time comes from the nationwide strike by the three main pre-tertiary 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 declared the strike on September 25, 2026 over unpaid salary arrears, promotions, allowances and conditions of service.
The action kept teachers out of classrooms for nearly two weeks. It was suspended on October 9 after talks involving the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment and the Council of State.
Teachers returned to classrooms on Monday, October 12, after reaching an agreement with government on timelines for some of their outstanding demands. GhanaTrends reported at the time that public basic schools reopened as teachers ended the two-week strike.
Mid-term break cancellation: key dates at a glance
- September 25, 2026: GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG declare a nationwide strike
- October 9, 2026: Strike suspended after talks with government agencies
- October 12, 2026: Teachers return to classrooms
- November 2, 2026: GES announces cancellation of the mid-term break
- November 5–6, 2026: Original mid-term break dates – now normal school days
What the cancelled mid-term break means for parents, pupils and teachers
Parents who had planned trips, childcare changes or family activities around the break will need to adjust, as pupils are expected in class on both days.
Teachers are expected to report to work and hold normal lessons, giving them two extra days to cover syllabus content missed during the strike.
For pupils, the change means a full school week instead of a short one. The extra days are meant to reduce the pressure of catching up before the end of the term.
The notice applies to basic schools. It does not mention senior high schools.
What happens next
Basic schools are to run normal academic activities on Thursday and Friday. The GES notice does not announce a replacement break later in the term.
Meanwhile, the teacher unions’ grievances over arrears are still being worked through. GES has set a November 16 deadline to pay outstanding 2025 promotion arrears to teachers, part of the timelines agreed to end the strike.
Parents and teachers can follow official updates on the Ghana Education Service website.
Summary of the story: GES Cancels November 5–6 Mid-Term Break: Basic Schools to Stay Open to Recover Time Lost to Teachers’ Strike
- GES has cancelled the mid-term break for basic schools due on November 5 and 6, 2026.
- All basic schools must remain open and hold normal classes on both days.
- The aim is to recover instructional hours lost during the teachers’ strike.
- The notice was signed by Daniel Fenyi of GES Headquarters and issued on November 2.
- GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG went on strike from September 25 to October 9, 2026.
- Teachers returned to classrooms on October 12.
- No replacement break has been announced.
FAQs – GES Cancels November 5–6 Mid-Term Break: Basic Schools to Stay Open to Recover Time Lost to Teachers’ Strike
Is there a mid-term break for basic schools in November 2026?
No. GES has cancelled the two-day mid-term break that was scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2026. Basic schools will stay open on both days.
Why did GES cancel the mid-term break?
GES cancelled the break to make up for instructional time lost when teachers went on a nationwide strike from September 25 to October 9, 2026.
Will pupils go to school on Thursday and Friday, November 5 and 6?
Yes. GES says all basic schools should remain open and conduct normal academic activities, and pupils and teachers should report as usual.
In summary, the Ghana Education Service has scrapped this term’s two-day mid-term break for basic schools, turning November 5 and 6 into normal school days. The move is meant to help pupils recover lessons missed during the GNAT, NAGRAT and PRETAG strike, and parents and teachers are expected to plan for a full school week.
