The Libyan Ministry of Education at the Parliament-designated government annonced that the start of the 2025–2026 academic year will be postponed. Instead of beginning on September 7 as initially planned, schools will now open on September 21.
In a statement, the ministry said that the decision was made to guarantee the readiness of educational institutions and to ensure the school year begins smoothly.
It explained that the postponement was based on requests from local education authorities in municipalities and was taken in coordination with the Office of the Prime Minister. The ministry extended its best wishes to students and teachers for a successful school year.
The shifting calendar also coincides with Libya’s Martyr’s Day holiday on September 16, which commemorates the 94th anniversary of the execution of Omar al-Mukhtar, the country’s national hero.
Beyond the calendar dispute, the delay underscores broader challenges facing Libya’s education sector.
Years of conflict and political instability have left many schools damaged, under-resourced, or poorly staffed. Families in cities like Tripoli and Benghazi often experience delays differently than those in rural areas, where insecurity and infrastructure gaps are more severe. For parents and students, the uncertainty adds another layer of difficulty to an already strained system.
