Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
PARENTS and guardians almost panicked into planning for the wrong term dates after a fake school calendar went viral on social media.
the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has swiftly dismissed the circulating schedule as pure nonsense meant to mislead the public.
The bogus message claimed schools would open on 26 January next year and close on 1 May, with the rest of the year mapped out in equally suspicious fashion. The post also falsely stated that the second term would stretch from 18 May to 21 August, while Term Three would begin on 7 September and close on 4 December.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has called out the hoaxers, urging the nation to stick to official communication only.
“That can’t be correct. There is no way that schools can open that late. I signed the 2026 calendar two months back and it’s not those dates. Schools are opening on January 13,” said Minister Moyo.
He revealed that the first term of 2026 will run for 57 school days, followed by a 34-day holiday break.
In addition, the second term will open on 12 May and close on 6 August, making it the longest with 67 school days. The third term will commence on 8 September and wind up on 3 December.
The Ministry has since warned parents to avoid relying on unverified WhatsApp forwards, Facebook posts and backyard “news updates” which increasingly fuel confusion every year.
“We urge the public to rely only on verified Government communication,” said the minister.
With fake information spreading faster than wildfire, parents have been encouraged to follow official ministry pages, reputable news outlets and school notices to avoid disruptions to their children’s education plans.
B-Metro strongly advises Parents to always check with the Ministry first, not ‘Yola’s Status Update,’ before buying uniforms, booking kombi fees or scheduling holiday trips, .
Colletta Dube