Singapore Public Holidays & School Holidays 2021

We may not be able to travel, but it doesn't mean that we can't plan our annual leave dates to coincide with public holidays for 2021!

Here's the official list of 2021 Public Holidays and School Holidays in Singapore, and ways to maximise them to get awesome long weekends.

The one good news to cut through the slightly depressing headlines that have been flooding our newsfeed (since COVID-19 made landfall in Singapore). This is the official list of Singapore Public Holidays for 2021 according to the Ministry of Manpower and Singapore School Holidays for 2021 according to the Ministry of Education.   

2021 Singapore public holidays

Although we’re in semi-lockdown, it doesn’t mean that our imagination has to be limited to the home or Singapore. If you’ve been talking about a trip with friends or family for the longest time, or are looking to sneak in a local staycation to recharge in 2021, this is the perfect time to get to it.

And for those looking to travel overseas in 2022, remember to plan early and you’ll not only have more time to save up, but also be able to snag cheaper air fares and accommodation deals! 

2021 Long weekends

If you have 14 days of annual leave, include the 3 off-in-lieu from PH that fall on Saturdays and maximise most 2021 public holidays, you’ll get a cool 45 days off work! The best part of this is that some of the 2021 school holiday coincide with these dates as well, which is perfect if you're planning a family staycation or holiday.

4 Things you should know about public holiday entitlements as an employee

• You’re entitled to the gross rate of pay on a public holiday. If you were not absent on the working day immediately before or after a holiday without consent or a reasonable excuse; or were on authorised leave (e.g. sick leave, annual leave) on the day immediately before or after a holiday.
• If you’re required to work on a public holiday, you should be paid an extra day’s salary at the basic rate of pay.
• Alternatively, you and your employer can mutually agree to substitute a public holiday for another working day.
• Are you holding a managerial or executive position? If so, your employer can grant time off in lieu for working on a public holiday. The time off should consist of a mutually agreed number of hours.

Know your rights! Here are the Ministry of Manpower's guidelines on public holiday and pay entitlements if you are covered by the Employment Act.

2021 School holidays for primary & secondary school students

For students aged 7 years and above who attend a local primary or secondary school.

2021 School holidays for junior colleges and millennia institutes

For the older kids (aged 16 to 18/19) attending Junior Colleges and Millennia Institutes, their school holidays differ slightly from the above due to prelims and GCE ‘A’ Level examinations.

2021 School holidays for junior college students

2021 School holidays for millennia institute students

Other scheduled school holidays

Apart from the term and semester breaks, here’s a list of the other scheduled school holidays and their dates that you could definitely look at when you start planning.

Now that you’re starting to get your holiday plans in order, remember to charge it on the right card to make your money work harder for you. Earn points, cashback and airmiles that can all be used to offset your monthly expenses or fund your next overseas trip with the family.

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