Johor School Holidays 2026–2027: Planning Around Group B

If you are a parent in Johor, the switch to a Saturday–Sunday weekend has changed more than just your Friday routine. Johor now follows the Group B school calendar, the same one most states use, so your term breaks, festive holidays and long year-end break all follow a different schedule from before. This guide explains what the change means, where to find the confirmed 2026 and 2027 dates, and how to plan childcare, leave, travel and family visits around them. One tip runs through everything: always check the official calendar before you book anything.

What moving to Group B actually means

Malaysian schools follow one of two calendars, depending on the state's weekend. Group A states have a Friday–Saturday weekend, so schools run Sunday to Thursday. Group B states have a Saturday–Sunday weekend, so schools run Monday to Friday.

Johor used to be in Group A. When the state changed its official weekend to Saturday and Sunday from the start of 2025, its schools moved to Group B. For your family, that means:

• A Monday to Friday school week, matching most office jobs.
• Term break dates in line with Group B states such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, rather than Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
• Holidays that may fall a day or so apart from what you remember from Group A years.

If you still have an old calendar on the fridge or saved in your phone from your Group A days, it is worth replacing it now.

Where to find the confirmed dates

The Ministry of Education (KPM) publishes the official school calendar, usually in advance of each school session, with separate tables for Group A and Group B. That is the source to trust, rather than screenshots passed around online, which are sometimes out of date or show the wrong group.

A few practical habits help:

• Look for the Group B table specifically, and double-check you have the right school year.
• Check your school's own notices, as schools may add a small number of extra days off or adjust activity days.
• Watch for announcements of additional holidays, such as extra days around major festivals, which can be added during the year.
• Ask your class parent group or teacher if anything is unclear, rather than guessing.

Once you have the confirmed 2026 and 2027 dates, copy them into a shared family calendar so everyone works from the same version.

Understanding how the school year is built

The school year is generally split into terms, with short breaks between them, a mid-year break, and a longer break at the end of the session. In recent years the start month of the school session has shifted, so do not assume each year begins at the same time as the last.

When you look at the 2026 and 2027 calendars, mark these out clearly:

• The first day of the session, so you can sort uniforms, books and transport early.
• Each term break, including how many school days your child misses.
• The long year-end break, which is usually the best window for longer trips or visits.
• Public and festive holidays that fall during term time, creating long weekends.

Seeing the whole year at a glance makes it far easier to spot clashes with work deadlines, exams or family events.

Planning childcare and work leave

With school now running Monday to Friday, many Johor parents find the week lines up better with their working hours. Holidays still need planning, though, especially if you both work.

Some ideas to make breaks easier:

• Apply for leave early once dates are confirmed, as colleagues with children will want the same weeks.
• Split the break between parents or with grandparents, so no one uses all their leave at once.
• Look into holiday programmes at community centres, libraries, places of worship or sports clubs, and confirm details directly with the organisers.
• Swap days with other families you trust, taking turns to host a small group of children.

If your workplace still follows a different weekend, perhaps because your employer is based elsewhere, talk to your manager early about how school days and holidays affect your schedule.

Travel, the Causeway and busy weekends

Many Johor families travel to Singapore or have a parent working there. The Saturday–Sunday weekend makes life simpler, but holiday periods can be very busy at the checkpoints, particularly when Malaysian and Singaporean school breaks overlap or a long weekend falls nearby.

To keep journeys calmer:

• Compare both countries' school calendars if you cross regularly, and expect heavier traffic when breaks coincide.
• Travel at quieter times where you can, such as earlier in the morning.
• Allow plenty of buffer time and pack snacks, water and something to keep children occupied.
• Check passports and travel documents for everyone well before the holidays.

For domestic trips, popular destinations fill up quickly during school breaks across all Group B states, so book accommodation and transport once you are sure of your dates.

Festive holidays and family visits

Major celebrations such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas often shape when families travel. Sometimes a festival falls neatly within a school break, and sometimes it falls during term, with only the official public holidays off.

A few points to keep in mind:

• Check whether extra school holidays are announced around a festival before committing to a longer trip.
• If relatives live in Kedah, Kelantan or Terengganu, remember those states are still Group A, so cousins may be on a different schedule.
• Coordinate early with family about who is visiting whom, especially if school breaks no longer match.

If you are thinking of taking your child out of school for extra days, speak to the school first and follow its procedures. Being open with teachers helps them support your child with any missed work.

Helping your child adjust

Children who started school under the Group A calendar may take a little while to adjust to a different week and new break dates. Older children might also notice friends in other states now having the same holidays as them, while others no longer do.

You can make the change smoother by:

• Talking it through simply, explaining why the days have changed.
• Keeping a visible calendar at home so children can see when the next break is coming.
• Building a gentle routine before term restarts, adjusting bedtimes a few days ahead.
• Planning something small to look forward to in each break, even a picnic at a local park.

If your child seems especially anxious about school or changes in routine, a chat with their teacher or school counsellor can be a helpful first step.

Frequently asked questions

Is Johor still in Group A for school holidays?

No. Johor moved to Group B when the state changed its weekend to Saturday and Sunday from the start of 2025, so schools now run Monday to Friday.

Where can I get the official 2026 and 2027 Johor school holiday dates?

Use the official school calendar published by the Ministry of Education and look at the Group B table. Your child's school will also share any extra days off or changes.

Do Johor school holidays now match Kuala Lumpur and Selangor?

Yes, Johor follows the same Group B calendar as states such as Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Individual schools may still have a few days that differ, so check school notices.

Can extra school holidays be added during the year?

Yes, additional holidays are sometimes announced, often around major festivals. Keep an eye on official announcements and school messages before finalising travel plans.

This is general information. For concerns about a child's health or development, speak to a doctor or a qualified professional. Something here wrong or out of date? Report a correction.