Singapore Academic Calendar 2026–2027: MOE School Terms, Holidays & Key Dates
The Singapore academic calendar for 2026–2027 covers school term dates, holidays and key academic schedules across different education levels. Ministry of Education (MOE) primary and secondary schools follow four terms each year, with breaks in March, June, September and at year-end. Polytechnics, universities and international schools have separate academic calendars, so their semester dates may not match the regular MOE school year.
TL;DR: Singapore Academic Calendar at a Glance
The 2026 MOE school year ends on 20 November, while the 2027 school year begins on 4 January for most Primary 1 and secondary school students. There are four school terms divided into two semesters, with scheduled holidays between terms. Junior colleges have some different dates, while polytechnics, ITE and universities follow their own academic schedules.
Singapore Academic Calendar 2026 and 2027 — MOE School Term Dates
The MOE school calendar divides the academic year into two semesters, each containing two terms. Most government primary and secondary schools follow these dates, although the first school day can differ for certain student groups.
MOE School Term Dates for 2026
The Singapore academic calendar 2026 began on 2 January for Primary 1 and Kindergarten 1 students, along with secondary school students. Primary 2 to Primary 6 and Kindergarten 2 students returned on 5 January.
The regular school year finishes in November, followed by the December school holidays.
MOE School Term Dates for 2027
The Singapore academic calendar 2027 begins on 4 January for Primary 1 and secondary school students. Primary 2 to Primary 6 and Kindergarten 2 students return on 5 January.
| School term | 2026 dates | 2027 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 2 Jan – 13 Mar | 4 Jan – 12 Mar |
| Term 2 | 23 Mar – 29 May | 22 Mar – 28 May |
| Term 3 | 29 Jun – 4 Sep | 28 Jun – 3 Sep |
| Term 4 | 14 Sep – 20 Nov | 13 Sep – 19 Nov |
These are the general MOE school term dates. Parents should check their child’s school announcements for orientation sessions, reporting times and school-specific arrangements.
Singapore School Holidays 2026–2027
Singapore school holidays give students scheduled breaks between academic terms. The March, June and September holidays are particularly useful for planning family activities, tuition schedules and overseas trips.
March, June and September School Holidays
The March break lasts one week, while the June holidays usually provide about four weeks away from regular classes. September brings another one-week break before Term 4.
Year-End School Holidays
The year-end vacation is the longest school break. It starts after Term 4 and continues until the next school year begins.
| Holiday period | 2026 dates | 2027 dates |
|---|---|---|
| March holidays | 14–22 March | 13–21 March |
| June holidays | 30 May – 28 June | 29 May – 27 June |
| September holidays | 5–13 September | 4–12 September |
| Year-end holidays | 21 Nov – 31 Dec | 20 Nov – 31 Dec |
School holidays can also include special observances such as Youth Day, Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day. These may apply to different student groups, so they shouldn’t be confused with nationwide public holidays.
Primary and Secondary School Academic Calendar in Singapore
Primary and secondary schools generally follow the same four-term MOE school calendar. But the academic experience differs depending on the student’s level.
Primary 1 and P2–P6 School Opening Dates
Primary 1 students usually begin the year earlier than returning Primary 2 to Primary 6 students. This staggered arrangement gives younger children time to settle into their new school environment.
Parents of Primary 6 students should also check the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) schedule, which has separate examination and results dates.
Secondary School Terms and National Examinations
Secondary school students follow the MOE term dates, but national examinations can affect their final weeks of school.
Students preparing for the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level examinations may have revision periods, practical examinations and written papers scheduled separately from regular lessons.
Junior College and Millennia Institute Academic Calendar
Singapore’s junior colleges (JCs) and Millennia Institute (MI) follow MOE’s pre-university academic arrangements.
JC1 students may begin later than JC2 students because of admissions and posting procedures. MI Year 1 students can also have different opening dates from returning students.
JC2 and MI Year 3 students preparing for A-Level examinations may finish regular lessons before the general school year ends.
For this reason, students should check their institution’s academic schedule rather than relying only on the primary and secondary school term dates.
Polytechnic and ITE Academic Calendar 2026/2027
Polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) operate differently from MOE primary and secondary schools.
The polytechnic academic calendar generally runs from April to the following year, while ITE schedules depend on the course and intake.
Polytechnic Semester Dates
Institutions such as Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic organise their academic year into semesters.
Students can expect scheduled teaching weeks, examinations, semester breaks and vacation periods. New students may also attend orientation activities before classes begin.
For AY2026/27, students should check their own institution’s published dates, especially for examination weeks and semester vacations.
ITE students should confirm their academic schedules according to their Nitec or Higher Nitec programme and intake.
University and International School Academic Calendars
The Singapore university academic calendar is different from the MOE school calendar.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) generally begin their main academic year in August. Singapore Management University (SMU) also follows an August-based academic schedule for many undergraduate programmes.
University calendars include teaching weeks, recess periods, examinations and semester vacations.
International schools may follow an August-to-June or another school-specific academic year. Parents should check the individual school’s term dates before arranging travel or enrolment.
Singapore School Fees and Academic Costs
Singapore school fees depend on citizenship, education level and institution. Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents (PRs) and international students may pay different amounts.
| Education level | Fee structure |
|---|---|
| Government Primary School | No school fees for Singapore Citizens; miscellaneous fees may apply |
| Government Secondary School | Monthly fees vary by citizenship |
| Junior College | School and miscellaneous fees vary by citizenship |
| Polytechnic | Annual tuition varies by institution and residency status |
| University | Tuition depends on programme, institution and subsidy eligibility |
These are fee categories rather than fixed prices. Parents and students should confirm the latest published rates, as tuition fees and financial assistance arrangements can change between academic years.
Planning Around Singapore Public Holidays and School Breaks
Planning ahead can make school holidays easier for families, especially during the June and December vacation periods.
Singapore public holidays, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, National Day and Deepavali, may fall during school terms or scheduled breaks.
And some school holidays aren’t public holidays. Youth Day, Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day have separate arrangements under the MOE school calendar.
Families booking overseas trips should check examination dates and school activities before confirming travel. Students preparing for PSLE, O-Level or A-Level examinations may have commitments beyond their usual classroom timetable.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Singapore Academic Calendar
1. When does the academic year start in Singapore in 2027?
The 2027 MOE school year begins on 4 January for Primary 1 and secondary school students. Primary 2 to Primary 6 students return on 5 January.
2. How many school terms are there in Singapore?
MOE primary and secondary schools have four terms divided into two semesters, with holidays between terms.
3. When are the Singapore school holidays in 2027?
The main breaks are 13–21 March, 29 May–27 June, 4–12 September and 20 November–31 December.
4. When does the 2026 school year end in Singapore?
Term 4 ends on 20 November 2026 for MOE primary and secondary schools. The year-end holidays begin on 21 November.
5. Do Singapore polytechnics follow the MOE school calendar?
No. Polytechnics use their own semester schedules, generally starting the academic year in April.
6. When does the university academic year start in Singapore?
Many Singapore universities begin their main academic year in August, although exact dates vary by institution and programme.
7. Do international schools follow Singapore’s MOE calendar?
Not necessarily. International schools often use different academic years, term dates and holiday schedules.
Final Thoughts
The Singapore academic calendar 2026–2027 provides clear school term dates and holiday periods for MOE primary and secondary schools. Polytechnic, ITE, university and international school students should follow their institution’s separate academic schedules.
For accurate planning, check the latest MOE announcements and school notices before booking holidays or making academic arrangements.
