KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 29 -- The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the academic calendar for all government and government-aided schools will return to a January start in 2026, officially ending years of pandemic-induced disruptions to the national education schedule.

The shift back to the traditional calendar follows a carefully planned, gradual adjustment from the February/March start dates implemented since 2022.

The initial change was a necessary measure to address extended school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, which required lengthening the 2021 school year to allow students to cover the syllabus and for teachers to conduct proper assessments.

According to the ministry's announcement, schools in Group A states will comm...