Grenada’s Education Minister David Andrew has rejected claims that the government breached the Education Act by reopening schools on August 31 instead of September 1.

Students are set to return to their classrooms across Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique on Monday as the 2026-2027 academic year gets underway.

The issue had been raised by Grenada Union of Teachers (GUT) President General Jude Bartholomew, who argued that the Education Act sets September 1 as the start of the academic year and that the government does not have the authority to change that date.

Speaking at a media conference on August 29, Bartholomew said the legislation gives the education minister authority to adjust the vacation period, but not the parameters of the academic year.

“The parameters for the academic year cannot be interfered with,” he said.

Bartholomew stressed that the union’s position was not about teachers seeking a longer vacation, but about ensuring the law is followed.

Andrew responded to the concerns in a video message issued on Sunday, saying the government had acted within the law when it set August 31 as the reopening date.

“This decision was arrived at after carefully considering the Education Act, the prescribed vacation period, the academic calendar and in the best interest of the nation’s children,” Andrew said.

He said school reopening dates are selected and officially communicated by the Ministry of Education.

“We invite the public to be guided accordingly,” he added.

Andrew expressed confidence in the year ahead and said he expected teachers, school officials and the wider school community to make a strong start to the new academic year.

“We wish you all the best and look forward to an engaging and meaningful academic year 2026-2027,” he said.