Kerala School Holiday: Schools and Colleges To Remain Closed on July 20; Here's Why
The Kerala government has declared a state-wide holiday for all educational institutions on Monday, July 20, to allow students to watch the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. The decision follows requests from students and political leaders, as the late-night match is expected to finish in the early hours of Monday. Pre-scheduled exams will remain unaffected.
In response to the immense public enthusiasm surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, the Kerala government has declared Monday, July 20, a holiday for all educational institutions across the state. The decision aims to allow students to watch the title clash between Argentina and Spain, which is scheduled to take place late Sunday night.
Decision Follows Public Demand
The announcement was confirmed by the state government on Sunday, following widespread requests from football fans and students. Given that the final match kicks off after midnight Indian Standard Time (IST) on Monday, officials noted that it would be difficult for students to attend classes on time the following morning. Kerala Government Announces Statewide School and College Holiday on Monday Ahead of Argentina vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026 Final.
Government Has Declared a Holiday for All Educational Institutions Tomorrow, Says Kerala CM
As Keralam catches the ultimate football fever ahead of the grand Argentina-Spain finale. To ensure our young fans can enjoy the midnight thriller without worrying about school, College the next morning, the Government has declared a holiday for all educational institutions… pic.twitter.com/IjHyIrLe8h
— V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) July 19, 2026
General Education Minister N. Samsudheen announced the holiday on social media, addressing the students directly with the message: "Happy now, children?" He further explained in his post, "Considering the request of students who are football enthusiasts, the Kerala General Education Department has declared a holiday on Monday (July 20) for all schools under the department in view of the FIFA World Cup final to be played after midnight tonight."
Political Support and Anticipation
The call for a holiday garnered significant support from across the political spectrum. Former Education Minister and CPI(M) leader V. Sivankutty had previously urged the government to grant the day off, suggesting that the missed academic day could be compensated for by converting a future Saturday - ordinarily a holiday - into a working day. Leaders from the United Democratic Front (UDF) also backed the proposal. The final match, which pits defending champions Argentina against European powerhouse Spain, has gripped the state.
Across Kerala, residents' associations and sports clubs have installed large LED screens in public squares and parks to broadcast the event, with local fan communities organising festivities to mark the occasion. Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan extended the directive to include professional colleges, ensuring a statewide reprieve for the academic community as the tournament reaches its climax. However, officials clarified that there will be no change to pre-decided examination schedules slated for Monday.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2026 02:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
