Academic Year Calendar
CALENDAR OF SCHOOL TERMS AND HOLIDAYS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2015/2016
Source: Ministry of Education, Jamaica
In accordance with the provisions of Regulations 7 of the Education Regulations 1980, the Honourable Minister of Education has specified the following school terms and periods within which school holidays may be allowed in the school year 2015/2016:
1. The first/CHRISTMAS TERM of the school year will commence on Monday, September 7, 2015 and end on Friday December 18, 2015. Christmas Holidays will be Monday, December 21, 2015 to Friday, January 1, 2016.
2. The second/EASTER TERM of the school year will commence on Monday, January 4, 2016 and end on Friday, March 18, 2016. Easter Holidays will be Monday, March 21, 2016 to Friday April 1, 2016.
3. The third/SUMMER TERM of the school year will commence on Monday, April 4, 2016 and end on Friday, July 8, 2016. Summer Holidays will be Monday, July 11, 2016 to Wednesday, August 31, 2016.
The following dates are suggested for mid-term holidays:
CHRISTMAS TERM Friday, October 16, 2015
EASTER TERM Thursday, February 11, 2016
SUMMER TERM Thursday, May 19, 2016
Ministry of Education Professional Development Dates
CHRISTMAS TERM Thursday, October 15, 2015
EASTER TERM Friday February 12, 2016
SUMMER TERM Friday, May 20, 2016
SUMMER PERIOD July 6-18 and August 10-21, 2015
Public Holiday Schedule
Public Holiday |
Date |
National Heroes Day |
Monday, October 19, 2015 |
Christmas Day |
Friday, December 25, 2015 |
Boxing Day |
Saturday, December 26, 2015 |
New Year's Day |
Friday, January 1, 2016 |
Ash Wednesday |
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 |
Good Friday |
Friday, March 25, 2016 |
Easter Monday |
Monday, March 28, 2016 |
Labour Day |
Monday, May 23, 2016 |
Emancipation Day |
Monday, August 1, 2016 |
Independence Day |
Saturday, August 6, 2016 |
Examination Dates
Grade One Individual Learning Profile (GOILP) |
August 25, 2015 – September 11, 2015 |
Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) |
March 17 – 18, 2016 |
Grade Nine Achievement Test (GNAT) |
May 13, 2016 |
ASTEP Test |
May 13, 2016 |
Grade Four Literacy and Numeracy Tests |
June 28 – 29, 2016 |
Vocational School Leaving Certificates Examinations (VSLCE) |
June 13 – 24, 2016 |
Grade Three Diagnostic Test |
June 7 – 8, 2016 |
Jamaica School Certificate |
July 4 – 7, 2016 |
CSEC (January) |
Registration:
August 15, 2015 – September 25, 2015
Registration deadline: August 15, 2015 – September 25, 2015 Examination dates: January 4 –January 19, 2016 |
CSEC (June) |
Registration deadline: September 25 – November 25, 2015 Examination dates: April 15 –June 10, 2016 |
CAPE |
Registration deadline: September 25 – November 25, 2015 Examination dates: April 15 – June 10, 2016 |
CCSLC |
Registration: September 25 – January 25, 2016 Examination dates: June 13 – June 15, 2016 |
CVQ |
Registration deadline: September 1 - December 31, 2016 Examination dates: May 1 – June 15, 2016 Online Registration System opens for submission of completed units June 15 –June 25, 2016 Schools should submit the following documents to the Overseas Examinations Commissions: External Verifiers Report Internal Assessors’ Report Achievement Sheets Candidates’ Portfolio Completion Form |
NVQJ |
Registration deadline: November 30, 2015 Examination dates: June 13 - July 8, 2016 |
City and Guilds (December) |
Registration deadline: October 26, 2015 Examination date: December 10, 2015 |
City and Guilds (June) |
Registration deadline: December 14, 2015 Examination date: June 16, 2016 |
Please note that dates are subject to change due to any extenuating circumstances.
Attention is drawn to Regulation 7 (3) of the Education Regulations 1980, which makes it obligatory for every Educational Institution to meet for not less than one hundred and ninety (190) days in every school year. Chairmen of School Boards are asked to inform the Ministry of any variation of dates on which their schools will close for each term.