The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed the commencement date of the 2025 school year.
The 2025 academic year will commence on 15 January 2025. There will be 46 weeks between the start and end of the academic year.
As in 2024, schools around the country will make use of a common calendar. Previously, schools adopted a staggered schedule which would see schools in coastal and inland provinces commence with learning on different days.
This uniform schedule replaces the previous system, where inland provinces like Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West commenced their academic year on different dates from coastal provinces such as Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.
In 2025, all learners nationwide will start the school year on 15 January 2025 and conclude on 10 December 2025.
Academic and Holiday Breakdown
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.
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) |
