2023 school term to start on March 19

SHAH ALAM – Malaysian Education Ministry (MoE) announces that the 2023 school term will start on March 19 next year for schools in Group A states.

MoE in a media statement said that the Academic Calendar Session 2023/2024 for the next session would run from March 19, 2023 to March 9, 2024 for schools in Group A states and from March 20 2023 to March 10 2024 for schools in Group B states

Group A states comprised of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Group B states are Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

“The decision to postpone the opening of schools from March 12,2023 for Group A and March 13 2023 for Group B was made so that the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) examination can be carried out smoothly.

“On the decision to maintain the school session in March 2023, it was taken to ensure that the ministry complies with the Education (Terms, Days and School Holidays) Regulations 1998 (Amendment) 2021 which stipulate that the number of school days in the academic calendar must not be less than 190 days,” the statement read.

On the other hand, the ministry said that suggestions from several parties to return the start of the school session to January could be implemented by gradually shortening school holidays which started from 2023 until 2026 given that number of school days in the academic calendar was fulfilled.

“However, taking into account the welfare of teachers, students and the impact on the national economy, the MoE decided to postpone the proposal to minimise the impact on the relevant parties.

Notably, they also took into account the various views received from stake holders to avoid the SPM exams being held in November and December during the monsoon season.

“Conducting the SPM exam in the monsoon season can cause stress not only for the teachers and exam staff, but also for the students and parents involved.

“When the SPM is held in February or March, the waiting period for the candidates concerned to enter the university will also be shorter than before.

“However, the MoE always looks at the need and appropriateness of preparing the academic calendar for the next year to ensure that the teaching and learning process can be carried out optimally,” the ministry explained noting that it is always committed to continue doing the best

The 2023/2024 Session Academic Calendar can be downloaded via the MoE website at the link https//www.moe.gov.my/takwim.