On this page, you will find the full 2027 academic school calendar for South African schools — an interactive calendar above, plus a complete month-by-month breakdown of term dates, school holidays and public holidays below.
You can download a printable calendar here for your convenience.
As you go through this page, you will see that we have included an overview for each month, showing the calendar month on the left, a key dates list on the right, as well as the summary at the bottom of each month. This will make it easier for you to quickly know what is happening each month at a quick glance.
At the end of the page, we have included a term-by-term overview of key dates and holidays.
Studying at a TVET college instead? See the 2027 TVET college calendar for term dates specific to South Africa's public TVET colleges.
2027 School Calendar Month by Month
January opens the 2027 academic year. Schools are closed for New Year’s Day on 1 January, staff use 11–12 January for administration and preparation, and learners return to class on 13 January. Here is the January 2027 school calendar in full:
February is a straightforward month on the 2027 school calendar, with no public holidays and Term 1 in full swing. Here is the February 2027 school calendar in full:
March brings the end of Term 1. Human Rights Day falls on Sunday 21 March, so the public holiday is observed on Monday 22 March, and Term 1 closes on Thursday 25 March, just ahead of the Good Friday and Family Day long weekend. Here is the March 2027 school calendar in full:
April covers the tail end of the autumn school holidays and the start of Term 2. Learners return to class on 13 April, after a staff administration day on the 12th, and the month closes with a long weekend around the Special School Holiday and Freedom Day. Here is the April 2027 school calendar in full:
May is a full teaching month in Term 2, interrupted only by Workers’ Day on Saturday 1 May. Here is the May 2027 school calendar in full:
June closes out Term 2. Youth Day falls on Wednesday 16 June, the term ends on Friday 25 June, and the winter school holidays begin the following Monday. Here is the June 2027 school calendar in full:
July is mostly winter school holidays. Staff return for a day of administration on 19 July, and Term 3 begins for learners on 20 July. Here is the July 2027 school calendar in full:
August is a regular Term 3 teaching month, broken only by National Women’s Day on Monday 9 August. Here is the August 2027 school calendar in full:
September brings Heritage Day on Friday 24 September and the close of Term 3 on Thursday 30 September. Here is the September 2027 school calendar in full:
October opens with a short spring school holiday before Term 4 begins. Staff return for administration on 11 October, and learners are back in class on 12 October. Here is the October 2027 school calendar in full:
November is a full Term 4 teaching month, with most schools focused on year-end examinations. Here is the November 2027 school calendar in full:
December closes the 2027 school year. Learners finish on Wednesday 8 December, staff wrap up with administration days on 9–10 December, and the festive season brings a run of public holidays: Day of Reconciliation, Christmas Day and Day of Goodwill (observed on 27 December since the 26th falls on a Sunday). Here is the December 2027 school calendar in full:
2027 School Calendar South Africa - Terms
Term Dates for South African Schools in 2027
The academic year begins in January 2027, with learners expected to return between 11 and 13 January depending on the school.
Term 1: 11/13 January – 19 March
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Number of Days: 48 or 50 (depending on return date)
- Public Holidays: 0
- Actual School Days: 48 or 50
Term 2: 06 April – 25 June
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Number of Days: 59
- Public Holidays: 2 (or 1, if a holiday falls on a weekend)
- Actual School Days: 56
Term 3: 20 July – 01 October
- Duration: 11 weeks
- Number of Days: 54
- Public Holidays: 2
- Actual School Days: 52
National Women’s Day on 09 August and Heritage Day on 24 September fall during this term. Learners will likely take those days off, reducing total active teaching days to 52.
Term 4: 11 October – 08/10 December
- Duration: 9 weeks
- Number of Days: 43 or 45
- Public Holidays: 0
- Actual School Days: 43 or 45
Term 4 ends in early December. Depending on whether your school closes on the 8th or the 10th, the number of school days will vary. There are no public holidays during this final term, so learners are in class for the full period.
Summary of Total School Days in 2027
- Total Weeks: 42
- Total Calendar Days: 204 to 208
- Total Public Holidays That Affect Schools: 4 (in some provinces only 1 may impact school days)
- Total Actual School Days: 199 to 203
Full List of South African Public Holidays in 2027
- 01 January – New Year’s Day
- 21 March – Human Rights Day
- 22 March – Day off for Human Rights Day (since 21 March falls on a Sunday)
- 26 March – Good Friday
- 29 March – Family Day
- 26 April – Special School Holiday
- 27 April – Freedom Day
- 01 May – Workers’ Day
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 09 August – National Women’s Day
- 24 September – Heritage Day
- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
What Parents and Teachers Should Note
- Public schools generally follow the calendar above, but independent and private schools may set different return and closing dates.
- The Special School Holiday on 26 April gives a long weekend for Freedom Day. Plan accordingly if you are booking travel.
- If you are unsure about your school’s opening date in January (11 or 13), check with your School Governing Body or the District Office.
Keep this calendar saved and refer to it before booking holidays, planning school events, or organising any mid-term activities.