Staff Reporter

Students across Bangladesh are set to enjoy a continuous seven-day holiday in 2026 on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja. According to the revised holiday calendar for educational institutions, the five-day holiday announced for Durga Puja will be combined with the regular weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, creating a seven-day break.

According to the holiday schedule, the Durga Puja vacation at educational institutions will begin on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and continue through Thursday, October 22. Since October 23 and 24 are Friday and Saturday respectively, the regular weekly holidays will immediately follow the Puja vacation. As a result, students will not have to attend regular classes from October 18 to October 24, making it a continuous seven-day holiday.

The five-day Durga Puja holiday will cover Sunday, October 18; Monday, October 19; Tuesday, October 20; Wednesday, October 21; and Thursday, October 22. The following two days, Friday and Saturday, are regular weekly holidays. Therefore, students will get a seven-day break without requiring any additional leave.

The holiday will apply not only to students at the secondary level but also to students of government primary schools. The holiday schedule for primary schools also includes a Durga Puja vacation from October 18 to October 22. With the two regular weekly holidays added to it, primary school students will also enjoy a total of seven consecutive days off.

The extended holiday is expected to generate interest among students and parents. With a break from regular classes for several days, many students may plan to spend time with their families or travel to their ancestral homes. Some may also use the opportunity to meet relatives, travel or participate in various social and religious activities.

However, students are also advised to set aside some time for their studies rather than spending the entire holiday on entertainment. Those who have examinations approaching can use the break to complete unfinished lessons and practise subjects in which they are weaker. This can help them maintain continuity in their studies and make it easier to return to regular classes after the holiday.

Durga Puja is one of the major religious and cultural festivals in Bangladesh. Every year, educational institutions as well as various government and private organizations observe holidays on the occasion. This year too, several days of leave have been included in the annual holiday calendar for educational institutions. As the Puja holiday coincides with the regular weekly holidays, students will get a continuous seven-day break without any additional holidays.

According to the 2026 schedule, the Puja vacation will begin on October 18 and continue until October 22. After the weekly holidays on October 23 and 24, regular educational activities are expected to resume on Sunday, October 25. Students are therefore expected to return to their respective educational institutions on October 25.

However, if any educational institution has separate instructions based on local circumstances, administrative decisions or specific directives, those instructions will have to be followed. Students and parents are advised to check notices issued by their respective educational institutions or contact the authorities for confirmation.

The seven-day holiday will provide students with an opportunity to rest, spend quality time with their families and organize their studies. Alongside recreation and family activities, students can allocate some time each day to their academic work. This may help reduce the pressure of returning to studies after a long break.

Students who are struggling with particular subjects can use the holiday to practise those areas. They can also review previous lessons, complete unfinished assignments and prepare for upcoming chapters. Parents can support their children by creating a simple and realistic study routine during the holiday without placing excessive pressure on them.

The holiday dates are as follows: the Durga Puja vacation will run from Sunday, October 18 to Thursday, October 22. Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 will be regular weekly holidays. Thus, regular academic activities at educational institutions will remain suspended for seven consecutive days from October 18 to October 24. Normal educational activities are expected to resume on Sunday, October 25.

Overall, students across Bangladesh will have the opportunity to enjoy a continuous seven-day holiday in 2026 on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja. The five-day Puja vacation, combined with the two regular weekly holidays, has created the extended break. Students can use this period not only for relaxation, family time and celebration but also to review their lessons and organize their academic preparations.