Chaos Over Fake School Calendar — Govt Warns Parents, Reveals Real 2026 Term Dates

Panic swept through Zimbabwean households this week after a fake school calendar went viral online, prompting the government to issue an urgent correction and confirm the official 2026 school term dates.

Education Minister Torerayi Moyo condemned the hoax as “pure nonsense,” warning parents not to trust backyard updates or social media forwards.

The misleading post, which spread rapidly across WhatsApp and Facebook, claimed schools would open on 26 January and close on 1 May.

It also listed incorrect timelines for the second and third terms, causing confusion among families preparing for the new academic year.

Minister Moyo said the dates being circulated were completely false and did not match the official calendar approved by the government.

“That can’t be correct. There’s 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,” he said.

According to the official schedule, the first term will run for 57 school days, followed by a 34-day holiday.

The second term begins on 12 May and ends on 6 August, making it the longest with 67 school days.

The third and final term will start on 8 September and conclude on 3 December.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has urged parents and guardians to rely strictly on verified government communication and avoid planning based on unverified social media posts.

“We urge the public to rely only on verified Government communication,” Moyo emphasized.

With misinformation spreading quickly online, authorities have reiterated the importance of following official ministry pages, reputable news outlets, and school bulletins to avoid disruptions to children’s education.

The government says it is monitoring the situation and warns that those responsible for spreading false information may face legal consequences.

B-Metro