The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has opened a comment period for the draft calendar, which was released on 15 October/ Minister Siviwe Gwarube encouraged the public to share their feedback on the proposed dates for the upcoming school year.
I, Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education, acting under section 3(4)(k) of the National Education Policy Act, 1996 (No. 27 of 1996) and after consultation with the Council of Education Ministers, invite stakeholder bodies and members of the public to comment on the Proposed 2026 School Calendar.
The public consultation process gives communities, education stakeholders, and other interested parties a chance to have their say on the scheduling of the 2026 school year.
The Proposed 2026 School Calendar is accessible online through the Department of Basic Education’s website at www.education.gov.za.
Submissions must be addressed to the Director-General of the Department of Basic Education, directed to Mr S Mlambo, and sent via email to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected].
Members of the public will have until 15 November 2024 to have their say on the proposed 2026 school calendar.
The closing date for submitting comments is one month from the publication date of this notice.
Proposed 2026 School Calendar
According to the draft 2026 school calendar, the 2026 school year will commence on 14 January and end on 9 December 2026. The 2026 proposed school year will comprise 43 weeks at school with 207 school days for learners.
Teachers will be expected to be at school for 211 days.
Proposed 2026 School Terms
Term 1: (12) 14 January – 27 March
Term 2: 8 April - 26 June
Term 3: 21 July - 2 October
Term 4: 13 October - 9 (11) December
Brackets indicate the dates on which teachers begin and conclude the school year.
Public Holidays For 2026 School Year
- 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: Public Holiday
- 24 September: Heritage Day
- 25 September: Special School Holiday
- 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 26 December: Day of Goodwill
How School Calendars Are Determined
The DBE follows a multi-step process to finalise the annual school calendar. The process begins with the DBE drafting a preliminary calendar, which is then shared with provincial education departments and key stakeholders for initial feedback.
After considering the initial feedback, the DBE forms a subcommittee to review the comments and refine the proposed calendar. The revised calendar is then submitted to the Minister of Basic Education for public consultation.
Following the public comment period, the subcommittee reconvenes to review public input. The proposed calendar is then sent to a committee for evaluation and recommendation to the council.
The council, after reviewing the committee's recommendations, makes a decision on the proposed calendar. If approved, the Minister of Basic Education officially publishes the final calendar in various mediums, including the Government Gazette, the DBE website, and social media.
