Coastal provinces: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape
| Term | Duration | Number of weeks | Number of days | Number of public holidays | Actual number of school days |
| 1 | (9) 11 Jan - 23 Mar | 11 | (55) 53 | 1 | (54) 52 |
| 2 | 10 Apr - 22 Jun | 11 | 54 | 2 + 1 | 51 |
| 3 | 16 Jul - 28 Sept | 11 | 55 | 2 + 1 | 52 |
| 4 | 8 Oct - 7 (11) Dec | 9 | (47) 45 | 0 | (47) 45 |
| Total | 42 | (211) 207 | 7 (5 + 2) | (204) 200 |
- Dates and days in brackets ( ) are applicable to educators
Inland provinces: Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West
| Term | Duration | Number of weeks | Number of days | Number of public holidays | Actual number of school days |
| 1 | (16) 18 Jan - 30 Mar | 11 | (55) 53 | 1 | (54) 52 |
| 2 | 10 Apr - 22 Jun | 11 | 54 | 2 + 1 | 51 |
| 3 | 16 Jul - 28 Sept | 11 | 55 | 2 + 1 | 52 |
| 4 | 8 Oct - 7 (11) Dec | 9 | (47) 45 | 0 | (47) 45 |
| Total | 42 | (211) 207 | 7 (5 + 2) | (204) 200 |
- Dates and days in brackets ( ) are applicable to educators
Note: Schools in the coastal provinces will open a week earlier than the inland provinces in January.
Public and school holidays
| 1 January | New Year's Day |
| 2 January | Public holiday |
| 21 March | Human Rights Day |
| 6 April | Good Friday |
| 9 April | Family Day |
| 27 April | Freedom Day |
| 30 April | School holiday |
| 1 May | Workers Day |
| 16 June | Youth Day |
| 9 August | Women’s Day |
| 10 August | School holiday |
| 24 September | Heritage Day |
| 16 December | Day of Reconciliation |
| 17 December | Public holiday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Day of Goodwill |
1) Source: National Education Policy Act: 2011 and 2012 school calendars for public schools, 26 March 2010 [PDF]
