Students in Bogotá, Colombia, will have an extended break from classes later this month, as public schools will be closed for four consecutive days. The break, scheduled from March 30 through April 5, 2026, is part of the official academic calendar and impacts preschool, elementary, and secondary students across the capital city. This extended time off allows for crucial planning and evaluation time for educators.
The extended recess is outlined in Article 5 of the 2026 academic calendar, which details 12 weeks of student breaks throughout the school year. According to the district resolution, the period between March 30 and April 5, 2026, is specifically designated as a time when students are not required to attend classes.
While students will be out of the classroom, teachers and school administrators will remain on duty for what is being called the third institutional development week of the year. During this time, educators will focus on academic planning, curriculum evaluation, and adjustments to school-level educational projects. The move underscores the importance placed on professional development and strategic planning within the Bogotá school system.
Specific tasks during this institutional development week include academic and curricular planning, evaluation of educational processes, adjustments to school-level educational projects, review and monitoring of the curriculum, and professional development activities for teachers. The district aims to apply this time to strengthen educational quality and coordinate pedagogical strategies for the remainder of the school year.
What Will Happen at Schools During the Last Week of March?
The academic calendar for Bogotá’s public schools requires students to complete 40 weeks of academic work, divided into two semesters. Key dates for the 2026 school year are:
- First semester: January 26 to June 21, 2026.
- Second semester: July 6 to November 29, 2026.
Individual schools will organize class schedules and supplementary activities within these parameters, ensuring compliance with national academic standards.
