South African School Calendar
The South African school year runs from January to December, divided into four terms. The Department of Basic Education publishes the official school calendar annually, with slight variations between the Inland and Coastal school clusters.
School Clusters
Inland cluster: Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West
Coastal cluster: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape
The two clusters follow slightly different start and end dates for terms, particularly for Term 1 and Term 4. This staggered system helps manage traffic and travel demand during school holidays.
2026 School Calendar
Term 1
January to March (approximately 11 weeks). Schools typically reopen in the second or third week of January, with the Inland cluster starting about a week before the Coastal cluster.
Term 2
April to June (approximately 11 weeks). Term 2 begins after the autumn break and ends in late June for the winter holidays.
Term 3
July to September (approximately 11 weeks). Term 3 begins in mid-July after the winter break.
Term 4
October to December (approximately 10 weeks). The school year ends in mid-December, with the Coastal cluster typically finishing a few days later than the Inland cluster.
Public Holidays
South Africa has 12 public holidays that may fall within school terms:
- Human Rights Day (21 March)
- Good Friday and Family Day (dates vary annually)
- 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)
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a holiday.
Key Dates for Parents
- School admissions – Applications for the following year typically open mid-year. Check your provincial education department website for exact dates
- Grade 12 examinations – The National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations run from late October to early December
- School fees – Most schools require fees to be paid by the end of Term 1 or in agreed instalments throughout the year
- Report cards – Issued at the end of each term, with formal parent meetings typically held in Terms 1 and 3
Where to Find the Official Calendar
The official school calendar is published annually by the Department of Basic Education on their website. Provincial education departments may publish additional dates for province-specific events, training days, and examination schedules.
Independent schools may follow a different calendar. Check with your school directly for their specific term dates.