The current and proposed school calendar for South Africa.
2024
2025
2026
2024
The Department of Basic Education published the school calendar for 2024 on 4 August 2022.
Term |
Duration |
Number of weeks |
Number of days |
Number of public holidays |
Actual number of school days |
1 |
(15) 17 Jan - 20 Mar | 10 |
46 (48) |
0 |
46 (48) |
2 |
3 Apr – 14 Jun |
11 |
53 |
1+0 |
52 |
3 |
9 Jul – 20 Sept |
11 |
54 |
1+0 |
53 |
4 |
1 Oct – 11 (13) Dec |
11 |
52 (54) |
0 |
52 (54) |
|
Total |
43 |
205 (209) |
2+0 |
203 (207) |
Public and School Holidays 2024
1 January: New Year’s Day
21 March: Human Rights Day
29 March: Good Friday
1 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day
1 May: Workers’ Day
29 May: Public holiday (General Elections)
16 June: Youth Day
17 June: Public holiday
9 August: National Women’s Day
24 September: Heritage Day
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill
Source: National Education Policy Act: 2024 school calendar for public schools [PDF]
2025
The Department of Basic Education published the school calendar for 2025 on 31 January 2023.
Term |
Duration |
Number of weeks |
Number of days |
Number of public holidays |
Actual number of school days |
1 |
(13) 15 Jan - 28 Mar | 11 |
53 (55) |
1 |
52 (54) |
2 |
8 Apr – 27 Jun |
12 |
59 |
5+3 |
51 |
3 |
22 Jul – 3 Oct |
11 |
54 |
1 |
53 |
4 |
13 Oct – 10 (12) Dec |
9 |
43 (45) |
0 |
43 (45) |
|
Total |
43 |
209 (213) |
7+3 |
199 (203) |
Public and School Holidays 2025
1 January: New Year’s Day
21 March: Human Rights Day
18 April: Good Friday
21 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day
28 April: Freedom Day observed
29 April: Special school holiday
30 April: Special school holiday
1 May: Workers’ Day
2 May: Special school holiday
16 June: Youth Day
9 August: National Women’s Day
24 September: Heritage Day
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill
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 31 January 2023.
Term |
Duration |
Number of weeks |
Number of days |
Number of public holidays |
Actual number of school days |
1 |
(12) 14 Jan - 27 Mar | 11 |
53 (55) |
0 |
53 (55) |
2 |
8 Apr – 26 Jun |
12 |
58 |
3+1 |
54 |
3 |
21 Jul – 2 Oct |
11 |
54 |
2+1 |
51 |
4 |
13 Oct – 9 (11) Dec |
9 |
42 (44) |
0 |
42 (44) |
|
Total |
43 |
207 (211) |
5+2 |
200 (204) |
Public and School Holidays 2026
1 January: New Year’s Day
21 March: Human Rights Day
3 April: Good Friday
6 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day
1 May: Workers’ Day
15 June: Special school holiday
16 June: Youth Day
9 August: National Women’s Day
10 August: National Women’s Day observed
24 September: Heritage Day
25 September: Special school holiday
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill
Source: National Education Policy Act: Draft 2026 school calendar for public schools [PDF]