School Holidays in Malaysia 2024-2025

Ever wondered who decides the school and public holidays in Malaysia? In a country as diverse and vibrant as Malaysia, the holiday calendar is shaped by cultural, religious, and administrative considerations. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or an educator, understanding the school holidays for the 2024-2025 academic year is crucial for planning family activities, vacations, and even private tutoring sessions. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Malaysia’s school and public holidays, term breaks, and activities to enjoy during these periods. Understanding the school holidays can also help in making travel plans to avoid crowds and secure the best experiences.

Overview of School Holidays in Malaysia 2024-2025

Malaysia’s school holidays are influenced by its distinct regions—Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak—each with varying dates to accommodate local festivals and public holidays. Generally, the Ministry of Education is responsible for setting the school holiday calendar, while state governments have some leeway in declaring public holidays. Group A states, including Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, observe their weekends on Friday and Saturday, while Group B states, which include Kuala Lumpur and other states, have their weekends on Saturday and Sunday. For international schools, holidays and term breaks may differ, as they follow curricula like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or IGCSE, which often align with global academic calendars. Accordingly, the school holiday dates may vary significantly from school to school. It is therefore advised that you check with your child’s school for the most updated holiday information, either by phone or mail.

Overview of the Academic Year

The academic year in Malaysia typically runs from March to February, with two main groups of states: Group A and Group B. Group A states, including Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, observe their weekends on Friday and Saturday. On the other hand, Group B states, which include Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Selangor, have their weekends on Saturday and Sunday. The academic year is divided into two semesters, with breaks in between for school holidays. This structure allows for a balanced distribution of study and rest periods, ensuring that students have ample time to recharge and engage in extracurricular activities.

Public Holidays in Malaysia 2024-2025

Importance of Public and Festive Holidays

Experienced IB Tutors in Malaysia note that school holidays are not just about taking a break from the academic grind; they are also a time to celebrate the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage. Public and festive holidays play a significant role in the school calendar, offering students a chance to immerse themselves in various traditions and festivities.

One of the most notable holidays is Malaysia Day, celebrated on September 16th. This day commemorates the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and is a time for national pride and reflection. Schools across the country close, allowing students and families to participate in various events and activities that honor this important milestone.

Another significant holiday is Hari Raya, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. This festive period is a time for Muslims to come together with family and friends, enjoy special meals, and engage in communal prayers. Schools typically close for a few days, giving Muslim students the opportunity to fully partake in the celebrations.

Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu holiday celebrated with much enthusiasm in Malaysia. This vibrant festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Schools observe this holiday, allowing Hindu students to celebrate with their families, light oil lamps, and enjoy traditional sweets and delicacies.

Chinese New Year is another key festive holiday, celebrated by the Chinese community in Malaysia. This 15-day celebration marks the beginning of the new year in the Chinese calendar and is filled with various customs, including lion dances, family reunions, and the giving of red envelopes. Schools close for a few days, enabling students to join in the festivities and cultural activities.

These public and festive holidays are integral to the school calendar in Malaysia, providing students with a well-deserved break and an opportunity to engage in the country’s diverse cultural traditions.

Public Holiday Schedule in Malaysia 2024-2025

Public holidays in Malaysia are declared by both federal and state governments. The Prime Minister’s Department decides national public holidays, such as Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) and Hari Raya Puasa, while individual states can add holidays specific to their region. Accordingly, some public holidays are national while others are only observed by some states.

The diversity of the public holidays in Malaysia reflect the cultural diversity of the Education System in Malaysia. For 2024-2025, notable national public holidays include Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Gawai in East Malaysia, and many more on the list along with the states that observe them:

• 12 Mar (Tue) – Awal Ramadan (Johor & Kedah)
• 4 Mar (Mon) – Installation of Sultan Terengganu (Terengganu)
• 23 Mar (Sat) – Sultan of Johor's Birthday (Johor)
• 28 Mar (Thu) – Nuzul Al-Quran (National except Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah & Sarawak)
• 29 Mar (Fri) – Good Friday (Sabah & Sarawak)
• 10 Apr (Wed) – Hari Raya Aidilfitri (National)
• 11 Apr (Thu) – Hari Raya Aidilfitri Holiday (National)
• 26 Apr (Fri) – Sultan of Terengganu's Birthday (Terengganu)
• 1 May (Wed) – Labour Day (National)
• 17 May (Fri) – Raja Perlis' Birthday (Perlis)
• 22 May (Wed) – Wesak Day (National)
• 30 May (Thu) – Harvest Festival (Labuan & Sabah)
• 31 May (Fri) – Harvest Festival Holiday (Labuan & Sabah)
• 1 Jun (Sat) – Hari Gawai (Sarawak)
• 2 Jun (Sun) – Hari Gawai Holiday (Sarawak)
• 3 Jun (Mon) – Agong's Birthday (National)
• 4 Jun (Tue) – Hari Gawai Holiday (Sarawak)
• 16 Jun (Fri) – Arafat Day (Kelantan & Terengganu)
• 17 Jun (Sat) – Hari Raya Haji (National)
• 18 Jun (Sun) – Hari Raya Haji Holiday (Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu)
• 30 Jun (Sun) – Sultan of Kedah's Birthday (Kedah)
• 7 Jul (Sun) – Georgetown World Heritage City Day (Penang); Awal Muharram (National)
• 8 Jul (Mon) – Awal Muharram Holiday (Johor & Kedah)
• 9 Jul (Tue): Georgetown World Heritage City Holiday (Penang)
• 13 Jul (Sat) – Penang Governor's Birthday (Penang)
• 22 Jul (Mon) – Sarawak Day (Sarawak)
• 30 Jul (Tue) – Sultan of Pahang's Birthday (Pahang)
• 11 Aug (Sun) – Hari Hol Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (Johor)
• 24 Aug (Sat) – Melaka Governor's Birthday (Melaka)
• 31 Aug (Sat) – Merdeka Day (National)
• 1 Sep (Sun) – Merdeka Day Holiday (Kelantan & Terengganu)
• 16 Sep (Mon) – Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (National) & Malaysia Day (National)
• 29 Sep (Sun) – Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday (Kelantan)
• 30 Sep (Mon) – Sultan of Kelantan's Birthday Holiday (Kelantan)
• 5 Oct (Sat) – Sabah Governor's Birthday (Sabah)
• 12 Oct (Sat) – Sarawak Governor's Birthday (Sarawak)
• 31 Oct (Thu) – Deepavali (National except Sarawak)
• 1 Nov (Fri) – Sultan of Perak's Birthday (Perak)
• 11 Dec (Wed) – Sultan of Selangor's Birthday (Selangor)
• 24 Dec (Wed) – Christmas Eve (Sabah)
• 25 Dec (Thu) – Christmas Day (National)
• 1 Jan (Wed) – New Year's Day (National except Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu)
• 14 Jan (Tue) – YDPB Negeri Sembilan's Birthday (Negeri Sembilan)
• 27 Jan (Mon) – Israk and Mikraj (Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis & Terengganu)
• 29 Jan (Wed) – Chinese New Year (National)
• 30 Jan (Thu) – Chinese New Year Holiday (National except Kelantan)
• 1 Feb (Sat) – Federal Territory Day (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan & Putrajaya)
• 11 Feb (Tue) – Thaipusam (Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya & Selangor)
• 20 Feb (Thu) – Independence Declaration Day (Melaka)

Apart from the national holidays, each state also has the power to decide their own holidays. For example, New Year's Day is celebrated in many states but not in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis & Terengganu. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check your individual state's calendar. During these public holidays, schools are closed, and most businesses take a break, although essential services like hospitals and transportation continue to operate. For the original release, please visit the government website for the 2024 public holiday list and the 2025 public holiday list.

Public and Private School Term Breaks in Malaysia 2024-2025

In Malaysia, the school year begins in January and ends in December. Public schools follow the national education system calendar, which includes a mid-year break and a year-end holiday. Furthermore, in public schools, school holidays are slightly different from state to state since some states observe weekends on Fridays and Sundays, while others observe them on Saturdays and Sundays. Here are the term break dates in academic year 2025:

Kumpulan A (Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu)

These states observe weekends on Friday and Saturday. Accordingly, there school holiday dates are slgi

• End of School Year: 30 Dec 2024 – 17 Jan 2025 (2024/2025 session ends)
• Term 1 Holidays: 13 Mar 2025 – 21 Mar 2025 (School break)
• Mid-Year Holidays: 22 May 2025 – 06 Jun 2025 (School break)
• Term 2 Holidays: 24 Jul 2025 – 01 Aug 2025 (School break)
• End of Year Holidays: 20 Nov 2025 – 31 Dec 2025 (School break)
• Chinese New Year Holidays: 29 Jan 2025 – 30 Jan 2025 (Public holiday)
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri: 20 May 2025 – 21 May 2025 (Public holiday)
• Deepavali Holidays: 15 Nov 2025 – 16 Nov 2025 (Public holiday)

Kumpulan B (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Penang, Perak, Putrajaya, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor)

These states observe weekends on Saturday and Sunday.

• End of School Year: 30 Dec 2024 – 18 Jan 2025 (2024/2025 session ends)
• Term 1 Holidays: 14 Mar 2025 – 22 Mar 2025 (School break)
• Mid-Year Holidays: 23 May 2025 – 07 Jun 2025 (School break)
• Term 2 Holidays: 25 Jul 2025 – 02 Aug 2025 (School break)
• End of Year Holidays: 21 Nov 2025 – 31 Dec 2025 (School break)
• Chinese New Year Holidays: 30 Jan 2025 – 31 Jan 2025 (Public holiday)
• Hari Raya Aidilfitri: 21 May 2025 – 22 May 2025 (Public holiday)
• Deepavali Holidays: 13 Nov 2025 – 16 Nov 2025 (Public holiday)

However, each school's calendar may be slightly different. Therefore, it is advised to always check with your child's school for the most updated information.

Meanwhile, private and international schools, such as those following the IB or Cambridge IGCSE curricula, have different term structures, which may include longer summer breaks and shorter winter breaks to accommodate the global academic schedule. During school breaks, it has become increasingly popular for parents to hire tutors such as IB tutor in Malaysia to help their children to catch up on their academic studies. Due to the academic rigour of programs like the IB, it is advised that parents take proactive actions to meet their child’s needs for personalised learning, even if and perhaps especially if your child studies at one of the Best International Schools in Kuala Lumpur.

Additional School Holidays in Malaysia

In addition to the regular term breaks and public holidays, schools in Malaysia may close for state-specific holidays such as Thaipusam in Selangor (11 February 2025) or the Sultan’s birthday (which varies depending on the state since each state celebrates a different Sultan). Schools also observe holidays for local festivals, depending on the region's cultural diversity. During these days, businesses in the state may also close, and families often take the opportunity to engage in traditional celebrations or short vacations.

Key Dates for the Academic Year

Mark your calendars! The key dates for the academic year 2024-2025 in Malaysia are as follows:

• Start of the Academic Year: 10 March 2024 for Group A states and 11 March 2024 for Group B states.
• End of the Academic Year: 14 February 2025 for both Group A and Group B states.
• School Holidays: Various dates throughout the year, including significant public holidays like Hari Raya and Malaysia Day.
• Exam Schedules: These will be announced by the Ministry of Education, so keep an eye out for updates.

These dates are crucial for planning your school year, ensuring that you can make the most of the school holidays and prepare adequately for exams. Parents can subscribe to school newsletters or contact the school via e mail for updates on key dates and holiday schedules.

List of School Holiday Activities Ideas

School holidays are a great time to balance relaxation and productive activities. Here are some exciting ideas for children and families during the 2024-2025 holidays:

• Private Tutoring: Whether your child is preparing for exams or simply wants to improve academically, private tutoring is an excellent way to use the holiday productively. You can hire an IGCSE tutor in Malaysia to help with specific subjects or an A-Level tutor in Malaysia for those preparing for college admissions.
• Outdoor Adventures: Malaysia is home to beautiful national parks like Taman Negara and Mount Kinabalu. A family hiking trip can offer both adventure and learning about the country’s rich biodiversity. Check out guided tours to make the most of your trip.
• Museum Visits: Kuala Lumpur has several engaging museums, such as the Islamic Arts Museum and the National Science Centre. These provide an educational yet fun way for children to learn about history, science, and art. Many museums offer interactive exhibits tailored to young audiences.
• Workshops and Camps: Enrol your child in holiday workshops or camps. From coding camps to creative writing workshops, many institutions across Malaysia offer specialised programmes during the school breaks. These activities foster new skills and interests outside the classroom.
• Cultural Experiences: Festivals like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali offer families a chance to immerse in Malaysia’s multicultural heritage. Attending local celebrations, trying traditional foods, and learning about different cultural practices can be both enjoyable and educational for children.

Conclusion

School holidays in Malaysia for the academic year 2024-2025 offer ample opportunities for students and families to relax, learn, and experience the country's rich cultural diversity. Whether you're planning to hire an IB tutor in Kuala Lumpur, explore outdoor activities, or join cultural festivities, there’s something for everyone. By keeping an eye on both the public and school holidays, you can ensure that the time off is well spent, filled with enriching experiences and a balanced approach to learning.

Planning and Resources

Need Help Planning?

Planning a trip or vacation during the Malaysia school holidays can be both exciting and challenging. With popular tourist destinations often crowded and travel prices soaring, it’s essential to plan ahead to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some tips and resources to help you make the most of your school holidays.

First and foremost, booking in advance is key. Whether you’re planning a family getaway or a short weekend trip, securing your travel arrangements early can help you avoid the rush and get the best deals. Many travel websites, such as Travelution Holidays, offer a wide range of travel packages and deals tailored to different budgets and preferences. These platforms can be a great starting point for finding the perfect holiday package.

If you prefer personalised advice, consider reaching out to local travel agencies. These experts can provide you with tailored recommendations and assist you in planning a memorable trip. They can help you navigate the complexities of travel planning, from finding the best accommodations to arranging activities that suit your family’s interests.

Online forums and communities are also valuable resources. Platforms like TripAdvisor and travel-related Facebook groups can offer insights and tips from fellow travellers who have experienced similar trips. These forums can provide you with firsthand information about destinations, accommodations, and activities, helping you make informed decisions.

By utilising these resources and planning carefully, you can ensure a fun and memorable experience during the Malaysia school holidays. Whether you’re exploring new destinations or enjoying local attractions, a well-planned trip can make your holidays truly special.