The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed the 2025 school calendar. This includes the full school calendar outlining the key dates, including the first and last days of school, total classroom days, school terms and school holidays.
As in the 2024 academic year, the 2025 school calendar indicates that both coastal provinces and inland provinces will start and end on the same days.
Prior to 2024, the DBE used a staggered school calendar where inland and coastal provinces commenced on different dates.
- Inland provinces: Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West
- Coastal provinces: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape
In 2025, all learners nationwide will start the school year on 15 January 2025 and conclude on 10 December 2025.
Official 2025 School Calendar Breakdown
|
Term |
Duration |
Weeks |
Days |
Public Holidays |
School Days |
|
Term 1 |
15 Jan – 29 Mar |
11 |
53 (55) |
1 |
51 (53) |
|
Term 2 |
8 Apr – 27 Jun |
12 |
59 |
5+3 |
49 |
|
Term 3 |
22 Jul – 3 Oct |
11 |
54 |
1 |
52 |
|
Term 4 |
13 Oct – 10 Dec |
9 |
43 (45) |
0 |
47 (49) |
|
Total |
15 Jan – 10 Dec |
43 |
209 (213) |
7+3 |
199 (203) |
The school year spans 46 weeks, with learners spending 199 days in the classroom. The calendar also includes seven public holidays, ensuring time for rest and celebration.
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.
The public consultation process ended on 15 November 2024. Details on the official 2026 school calendar will be published in due course.
