-
- School Terms Start:
-
- Term 1: 14 January – 27 March
-
- Term 2: 8 April – 26 June
-
- Term 3: 21 July – 23 September
-
- Term 4: 6 October – 11 December
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- School Days:
-
- Overall: approximately 200 actual school days
-
- Special holidays: 1 additional day (15 June)
Term 1
Term 1 (14 January – 27 March 2026): The first term of the 2026 academic year runs for 11 weeks, starting on 14 January and ending on 27 March. It includes 53 school days (or 55 with administration days) and no public holidays. 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 – 26 June 2026): The second term of the academic year spans 12 weeks, running from 8 April to 26 June. It includes 58 school days (actual 54 after holidays), with public holidays including Good Friday (3 April), Family Day (6 April), Freedom Day (27 April), Workers’ Day (1 May), and Youth Day (16 June), plus a special school holiday on 15 June. 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 (21 July – 23 September 2026): The third term runs for 10 weeks, from 21 July to 23 September, with a total of 47 school days (actual 46 after holidays). It includes one public holiday, National Women’s Day on 9 August (observed on 10 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 (6 October – 11 December 2026): The final term of the academic year spans 10 weeks, from 6 October to 11 December, with 47 to 49 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
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- Public Holidays:
-
- New Year’s Day: 1 January
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- Human Rights Day: 21 March
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- National Women’s Day: 9 August (observed 10 August)
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- Heritage Day: 24 September
-
- Day of Reconciliation: 16 December
-
- Christmas Day: 25 December
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- Day of Goodwill: 26 December
-
- Other School Holidays:
-
- 15 June: Special school holiday (before Youth Day)
Download School Calendar 2026 South Africa
Plan Ahead
-
- Travel Arrangements: With holidays clearly outlined, families can plan vacations and travels without disrupting learners’ studies.
-
- Exam Preparation: Knowing term durations allows learners to structure their study schedules effectively.
-
- 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.The public school calendar 2026 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. When Is School Closing In March 2026
The Department of Basic Education published the school calendar for 2026 on 26 February 2025. A striking feature of the 2026 School Calendar is that it continues the unified approach with no separate schedules for inland and coastal provinces. This simplifies planning for national events and coordination across provinces.
Important Dates: When Is School Closing In March 2026
-
- School Terms Start:
-
- Term 1: 14 January – 27 March
-
- Term 2: 8 April – 26 June
-
- Term 3: 21 July – 23 September
-
- Term 4: 6 October – 11 December
-
- School Days:
-
- Overall: approximately 200 actual school days
-
- Special holidays: 1 additional day (15 June)
Term 1
Term 1 (14 January – 27 March 2026): The first term of the 2026 academic year runs for 11 weeks, starting on 14 January and ending on 27 March. It includes 53 school days (or 55 with administration days) and no public holidays. 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 – 26 June 2026): The second term of the academic year spans 12 weeks, running from 8 April to 26 June. It includes 58 school days (actual 54 after holidays), with public holidays including Good Friday (3 April), Family Day (6 April), Freedom Day (27 April), Workers’ Day (1 May), and Youth Day (16 June), plus a special school holiday on 15 June. 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 (21 July – 23 September 2026): The third term runs for 10 weeks, from 21 July to 23 September, with a total of 47 school days (actual 46 after holidays). It includes one public holiday, National Women’s Day on 9 August (observed on 10 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 (6 October – 11 December 2026): The final term of the academic year spans 10 weeks, from 6 October to 11 December, with 47 to 49 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
-
- National Women’s Day: 9 August (observed 10 August)
-
- Heritage Day: 24 September
-
- Day of Reconciliation: 16 December
-
- Christmas Day: 25 December
-
- Day of Goodwill: 26 December
-
- Other School Holidays:
-
- 15 June: Special school holiday (before Youth Day)
Download School Calendar 2026 South Africa
Plan Ahead
-
- Travel Arrangements: With holidays clearly outlined, families can plan vacations and travels without disrupting learners’ studies.
-
- Exam Preparation: Knowing term durations allows learners to structure their study schedules effectively.
-
- 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.
