JOHOR BARU: Johor schools will follow suit in observing Saturday and Sunday weekends beginning January 2025.
This change will take place before the final term break for the 2024/2025 academic year on Jan 18 next year.
It is part of the state's transition to a Saturday-Sunday weekend, following a decree by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
State Education and Information Committee chairman Aznan Tamin confirmed the change will impact 583,373 students and over 48,000 teachers, aligning Johor with Group B's school schedule.
"This shift will ensure practical preparations in terms of learning and transportation before the new academic session starts in February next year," he said.
The adjustment follows Tunku Ismail's decree to revert Johor's weekend to Saturday-Sunday, with approval from Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.
"We are complying with His Royal Highness's decree, but we will implement the new schedule before the term ends as a trial run," said Aznan.
He said there was ongoing coordination with the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) to ensure a smooth transition, especially for students attending religious schools.
"There is no issue for religious school sessions. On Fridays, classes will end at 12pm and resume at 2.30pm," he said.
The weekend switch reverses Johor's Friday-Saturday schedule introduced in 2014.
Other states with similar weekends include Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.