Supreme Court to Rule on Ramadan School Closures

The question of whether secondary schools (grades six to ten) will remain closed throughout the holy month of Ramadan is set to be resolved on Tuesday, 17 February, as the Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver its final verdict. The decision follows an appeal filed by the Ministry of Education, with the outcome expected to determine whether students will return to classrooms or enjoy the entire month as holiday.

The controversy arose after the Ministry of Education published the annual academic calendar for the 2026 academic year, which proposed keeping secondary schools open for more than half of Ramadan. Challenging the legality of this decision, Supreme Court lawyer Md. Ilias Ali Mondal filed a writ petition at the High Court, seeking closure of schools for the entire month.

In the petition, it was argued that, since the nation’s independence, it has been a longstanding tradition for educational institutions to close during Ramadan. Moreover, commuting to school in the scorching heat while observing fasting is considered physically taxing for young students, and the movement of large numbers of students during peak hours exacerbates traffic congestion in urban areas.

On Sunday, 14 February, a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Qader and Justice Md. Asif Hasan directed that schools remain closed for the entire month of Ramadan. The Ministry, however, appealed this decision at the Appellate Division, maintaining its stance on keeping schools partially open. Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R. Haque represented the state, and Chamber Justice Farah Mahbub subsequently issued a stay on the High Court order, temporarily suspending it until the Supreme Court rules.

Meanwhile, the 2026 holiday calendar shows that secondary and lower-secondary schools have 12 fewer holidays than the previous year, with observances such as Shab-e-Miraj and Janmashtami removed. Primary and higher secondary institutions display a different pattern: government primary schools are scheduled to remain open until 21 Ramadan, whereas all government and private colleges will observe a full-month holiday. Additionally, madrasas across the country began Ramadan holidays from 15 February.

2026 Academic Year Ramadan Schedule

If the Supreme Court upholds the High Court order, secondary schools will close from 18 February, coinciding with the expected start of fasting. If not, schools will follow the Ministry’s original schedule, keeping classes running for a designated portion of the month. The ruling is being closely watched by students, parents, and educators, as it will define the rhythm of academic activity during Ramadan.