The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has officially released the academic term calendar for National Colleges of Education (Vidya Peeta) for the year 2026.
According to Circular No. 43/2025, issued by the Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewe, the new academic year will commence on January 5, 2026. The calendar outlines a structured plan for three academic terms, ensuring a total of 204 scheduled working days, adhering to the requirement that NCEs must maintain between 200 and 210 working days annually.
2026 Term Schedule Breakdown
The academic year is divided into three primary terms, with the first term split into three distinct phases to accommodate holidays and specific training requirements.
- First Term:
- Phase 1: January 05 – February 13
- Phase 2: February 23 – April 10
- Phase 3: April 20 – April 30
- Second Term: May 04 – July 31
- Third Term: September 01 – December 11
Scheduled Vacations
The circular also details the vacation periods for teacher trainees:
- February Break: Feb 14 – Feb 22
- New Year Break: April 11 – April 19
- May Day Break: May 01 – May 03
- August Vacation: August 01 – August 31
- Year-End Vacation: December 12 – December 31
Key Academic & Administrative Events
In addition to the term dates, the Ministry has outlined a schedule of major activities for the colleges:
- Internship Recruitment Interviews: Scheduled between January 15 and January 29.
- Volume Teaching (Teaching Practice):
- Grade 11 (10 days): January
- Grade 11 (10 days): March
- 2nd Year Trainees: May 04
- 1st Year Trainees (5 days): June
- 1st Year Trainees (10 days): September
- Examinations: Internal examinations are slated for July, with external examinations scheduled for September.
- New Intake: The recruitment of apprentices and field trips are highlighted for March 5.
The Ministry emphasized that while this calendar must be followed, special holidays must be approved by the Chief Commissioner (Teacher Education). Any changes to the schedule due to prevailing situations will be notified by the Ministry.
National Colleges of Education Term Calendar – 2026
