The first day of school is the first day of an academic year. This is usually in August or September in the Northern Hemisphere and often February or March in the Southern Hemisphere, but differs from country to country. Asia and Africa Egypt In Egypt, the academic year usually starts in the late third of September (particularly on the first Saturday of the last ten days of September). For example, in 2019, school started on Saturday, September 21, and in 2018, it started on Saturday, September 22. These dates are issued by the Ministry of Education (Egypt) and the Ministry of Higher Education (Egypt) and are applicable to almost all of the local schools and universities. However, private institutions may put their own starting date. The academic year for public schools and national schools consists of two semesters, each of which lasts around 15 weeks and may vary depending on the grade or subjects studied in college. However, it may change depending on the educational system that the school is run according to. Morocco In Morocco, the academic year commences in September and ends in June/early July Semester 1 (Fall): From September – January Semester 2 (Spring): From February – June/early July. Tunisia In Tunisia, the academic year commences on September 15 (or the 16th if September 15 falls on a Sunday or religious holiday) and ends on 25 May for middle and high schools, and on June 1 for primary school. Summer is approximately 3 months long. Sierra Leone In Sierra Leone, the academic year starts in September and ends in July the following year. South Africa In South Africa, the academic year starts in mid-January and ends early in December the same year. Saudi Arabia The first day of school is usually in late August India In India the schools re-open in June after the summer holidays. This applies to the whole of K-12 including elementary, secondary, and higher secondary schools. State board schools hold their annual exams in the month of March or April and new academic year starts in June after the summer holidays. However, this isn't the beginning of the new academic year for some boards like ICSE and CBSE. Their annual examinations are held in the month of February after which the new academic session begins in the last week of March. It continues until the second week of May when the summer holidays