The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has released the 2025 school calendar, outlining key dates for the upcoming academic year. This year, the DBE continues its approach of aligning the start and end dates for both coastal and inland provinces.
Prior to 2024, South Africa employed a staggered school calendar system. Inland and coastal provinces would commence and conclude their academic years on different dates. However, the 2024 and 2025 school calendars have adopted a unified approach, with all provinces starting and finishing the year simultaneously.
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
The DBE has also shared a draft 2026 school calendar, proposing a start date of 14 January and an end date of 9 December. This calendar outlines a 43-week school year with 207 school days for learners.
The public consultation process for the 2026 school calendar concluded on 15 November 2024. The official 2026 school calendar, incorporating public feedback, will be released in due course.
