The current and proposed school calendar for South Africa.
2025
The Department of Basic Education published the school calendar for 2025 on 31 January 2023.
Term 1:
Duration: (13) 15 January – 28 March
Number of weeks: 11
Number of days: 53 (55)
Number of public holidays: 1
– Human Rights Day: 21 Mar
Actual number of school days: 52 (54)
Term 2:
Duration: 8 April – 27 June
Number of weeks: 12
Number of days: 59
Number of public holidays: 5+3
– Easter: 18 Apr Good Friday and 21 Apr Family Day
– Freedom Day: 27 Apr observed on 28 Apr
– Special school holiday: 29 to 30 Apr
– Workers’ Day: 1 May
– Special school holiday: 2 May
– Youth Day: 16 Jun
Actual number of school days: 51
Term 3:
Duration: 22 July – 03 October
Number of weeks: 11
Number of days: 54
Number of public holidays: 1
– Heritage Day: 24 Sept
Actual number of school days: 53
Term 4:
Duration: 13 October – (10) 12 December
Number of weeks: 9
Number of days: 43 (45)
Number of public holidays: 0
Actual number of school days: 43 (45)
Source: National Education Policy Act: 2025 school calendar for public schools [PDF]
2026
The Department of Basic Education published the school calendar for 2026 on 26 February 2025.
Term 1:
Duration: (12) 14 January – 27 March
Number of weeks: 11
Number of days: 53 (55)
Number of public holidays: 0
Actual number of school days: 53 (55)
Term 2:
Duration: 8 April – 26 June
Number of weeks: 12
Number of days: 58
Number of public holidays: 3+1
– Easter: 3 Apr Good Friday and 6 Apr Family Day
– Freedom Day: 27 Apr
– Workers’ Day: 1 May
– Special school holiday: 15 Jun
– Youth Day: 16 Jun
Actual number of school days: 54
Term 3:
Duration: 21 July – 23 Sept
Number of weeks: 10
Number of days: 47
Number of public holidays: 1
– National Women’s Day: 9 Aug (observed on 10 Aug)
Actual number of school days: 46
Term 4:
Duration: 6 October – (9) 11 December
Number of weeks: 10
Number of days: 47 (49)
Number of public holidays: 0
Actual number of school days: 47 (49)
Source: National Education Policy Act: 2026 school calendar for public schools [PDF]
2027
The Department of Basic Education published the school calendar for 2027 on 26 February 2025.
Source: National Education Policy Act: 2027 school calendar for public schools [PDF]
