The wait is over for millions of learners across the country as schools officially reopen for the 2025 academic year. The 2025 school year commenced today, on 15 January and will end on 10 December.
The 2025 school year will span 46 weeks, including 199 classroom days. Learners will also observe seven public holidays, offering well-deserved breaks throughout the year.
2025 School Calendar
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) |
Provincial education departments are now monitoring schools across the country to ensure that schools across the province are fully equipped to receive learners and provide quality education as the new academic year begins. Their visits will focus on assessing infrastructure, safety, learning materials, and educator support.
The Gauteng Education Department has said:
By engaging directly with school management teams, educators, and learners, the campaign aims to identify challenges requiring the government’s attention; and promote accountability within the education system.
While monitoring schools in the Eastern Cape, Minister for the Department of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, said "all schools must be systems go".
Gwarube recently announced the matric results of the Class of 2024, announcing an impressive national pass rate of 87.3%.
Matric Results
The 2024 matric pass rate is an increase of 4.4% from the 82.9% achieved by the class of 2023. The Minister for the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Siviwe Gwarube, announced:
At a provincial level, I’m pleased to announce that every province improved on it’s performance from 2023 and every province has achieved above 84% pass rate.
Matric results were made available to candidates at their exam centres and online from 14 January 2025.
The 2024 final matric exams kicked off on Monday, 21 October, and ended on the 28th of November. 832 993 public school candidates sat down to write their National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams in 2024 for 150 subjects.