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: 59Number 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 draft school calendar for 2026 on 15 October 2024.

Source: National Education Policy Act:  Draft 2026 school calendar for public schools [PDF]

2027

The Department of Basic Education published the draft school calendar for 2027 on 15 October 2024.

Source: National Education Policy Act:  Draft 2027 school calendar for public schools [PDF]