The Ministry of Education has reversed an earlier decision and confirmed 22 September as the official opening date for schools in the 2025/2026 academic calendar.

The change was announced in a late-night statement asking the public to disregard an earlier communication that had moved the start date to Monday, 15 September. The ministry said the reversal was prompted by feedback received from the public.

The initial change, confirmed to Zodiak by ministry spokesperson Chris Kapachika Banda, was made to allow learners who had registered in schools the opportunity to participate in the 16 September polls. That explanation drew immediate attention and debate before the ministry’s overnight reversal.

Civil society responded quickly. Benedicto Kondowe, Executive Director of the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), said the government failed to consult key stakeholders before announcing the first change and described the sequence of events as evidence of poor stakeholder engagement.