Back to school: start of classes postponed to October 12

The 2026-2027 school year, initially scheduled for Wednesday October 7, is finally postponed to Monday October 12, 2026 throughout the national territory.

The Ministry of National Education, in a press release, justifies this decision by the evolution of the meteorological situation and the information provided by the Academy Inspections.

According to the document published Tuesday, October 6, this postponement mainly responds to an imperative of safety and protection of students. It must also enable the competent services, local authorities and communities to continue cleaning, sanitation, disinfection and restoration operations of educational establishments affected by bad weather.

The ministry specifies that not all academies are affected with the same intensity. However, he favored a national measure, in the name of territorial equity and equal opportunities, so that students return to lessons under the same conditions.

Between now and Monday October 12, the ministerial department is calling for “exceptional citizen mobilization” around the School. Education staff, parents, local authorities, state services, social partners, youth organizations, civil society, associations and communities are invited to combine their efforts to promote an effective resumption of teaching.

The ministry nevertheless emphasizes that this recovery cannot be further delayed. As the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) approach, the organization of which will have an impact on the operation of certain establishments, he considers it essential to preserve school time and the number of teaching hours as much as possible.

“The safety of our children requires caution. Their right to education also requires us to preserve learning time,” recalls the ministry, which thanks all stakeholders for their mobilization and counts on their commitment for a successful resumption on Monday October 12, 2026.

CGD