Egyptian primary school students line up in the morning assembly on the first day of the academic year at a public school in Cairo
The year will continue to focus on reforms, increased attendance, and improved classroom conditions across all educational stages.
According to a ministry statement, the academic year's two terms will run from 20 September to 22 January and from 7 February to 11 June.
The mid-year break is scheduled from 24 January to 5 February.
Final exams for the first term for transfer grades will begin on 10 January 2026, while second-term exams are set to start on 16 May.
For preparatory certificate students, first-term exams will commence on 17 January and second-term exams on 4 June.
Preparations for technical diploma exams will begin on 31 May, and Thanaweya Amma (general secondary school) exams are scheduled to start on 20 June.
The calendar applies to all public, language, and private schools. The final week of each term will be allocated to review sessions.
After accounting for weekends and public holidays, the total number of actual school days will be 172 — 88 in the first term and 84 in the second.
Abdel-Latif noted that recent reforms have raised student attendance to between 80 and 90 percent and reduced classroom density to no more than 50 students per class.
He added that the ministry aims to eliminate afternoon shifts in primary schools within two to three years.
He also reaffirmed ongoing literacy programmes in early grades, developed in partnership with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and summer learning support for students who need help with reading and writing.
The statement added that health screening programmes targeting anaemia, vision issues, and delayed growth will continue in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Population.
The number of applied technology schools has reached 90, and the ministry plans to convert 1,270 technical schools into international institutions to prepare students for the global labour market.
This will be done in cooperation with countries such as Japan and Italy and with private sector partners who support the model.
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