School Calendar 2025 South Africa

The public school calendar 2025 in South Africa is now available. The calendar contains critical dates for schools, holidays, terms, provinces and administrative periods. This guide will assist parents, educators, and learners in planning for the year ahead effectively.

However, the striking feature of the 2025 School Calendar is that it does not have separate schedules for inland and coastal provinces. This unified approach simplifies planning for national events and coordination across provinces but may require some adjustment from schools and families who are used to staggered term dates.

Important Dates for the 2025 School Year

• School Terms Start:
  • Term 1: 15 January – 28 March
  • Term 2: 8 April – 27 June
  • Term 3: 22 July – 3 October
  • Term 4: 13 October – 12 December
• School Days:
  • Overall: 199 to 203 actual school days
  • Special holidays: 3 additional days

Term 1

Term 1 (15 January – 28 March 2025): The first term of the 2025 academic year runs for 11 weeks, starting on 15 January and ending on 28 March. It includes 53 school days (or 55 with administration days) and one public holiday—Human Rights Day on 21 March. This term sets the foundation for the year, allowing learners and educators to establish routines and focus on core academic goals before the first school break.

Term 2

Term 2 (8 April – 27 June 2025): The second term of the academic year spans 12 weeks, running from 8 April to 27 June. It includes 59 school days, with a mix of five public holidays and three special school holidays, such as Freedom Day (27 April) and Workers’ Day (1 May). This term is the longest of the year, offering a significant opportunity for academic progress and preparation for mid-year assessments before the winter break.

Term 3

Term 3 (22 July – 3 October 2025): The third term runs for 11 weeks, from 22 July to 3 October, with a total of 54 school days. It includes one public holiday, National Women’s Day on 9 August. This term is critical for reinforcing key concepts covered earlier in the year and maintaining academic momentum ahead of the final term. The term concludes just before the spring holidays, allowing learners and educators to recharge.

Term 4

Term 4 (13 October – 12 December 2025): The final term of the academic year spans nine weeks, from 13 October to 12 December, with 43 to 45 school days. With no public holidays, this term is focused entirely on concluding the year’s curriculum, final assessments, and preparations for the next academic year. It marks the culmination of the year’s efforts, with learners and educators striving to achieve their academic goals before the December holidays.

Public and School Holidays

• Public Holidays:
  • New Year’s Day: 1 January
  • Human Rights Day: 21 March
  • Freedom Day: 27 April
  • Workers’ Day: 1 May
  • Youth Day: 16 June
  • National Women’s Day: 9 August
  • Heritage Day: 24 September
  • Day of Reconciliation: 16 December
  • Christmas Day: 25 December
  • Day of Goodwill: 26 December
• Other School Holidays:
  • 29–30 April, 2 May: Extra school holidays

Download School Calendar 2025 South Africa

Plan Ahead

1. Travel Arrangements: With holidays clearly outlined, families can plan vacations and travels without disrupting learners’ studies.
2. Exam Preparation: Knowing term durations allows learners to structure their study schedules effectively.
3. Administrative Days: Schools will have specific days for administrative purposes. Ensure these are noted to avoid last-minute surprises.

Calendar Highlights

The calendar is calculated to adequately balance school days, public holidays, and administrative time within the school year. This secures adequate time for rest for both learners and educators at different parts of the year.

Sources

• Department of Basic Education: https://www.education.gov.za/
• South African Government: https://www.gov.za/