Hello learners, parents, and teachers.
The 2026 South African School Calendar is now officially confirmed by the Department of Basic Education. It includes all term dates, public holidays, and school holidays for learners, parents, and teachers across all provinces.
Schools will officially open on 14 January 2026 and close on 11 December 2026, giving learners a total of 204 school days in the year. Term 2 will be the longest term, while Term 3 will be the shortest, lasting only ten weeks.
This page gives you everything you need to plan ahead, from a Term Planner Calculator that shows the start, end, and duration of each term, to Add to Google Calendar buttons for quick reminders. You can also view the full 2026 South African School Holidays, including the Easter Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Holiday.
If you are a learner, teacher, or parent planning ahead for 2026 school terms and holidays in South Africa, this is the most reliable and updated calendar you can use.
How many days do South African students go to school?
In the year 2026, South African students will go to school 204 days, based on the 2026 academic calendar.
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Here are 15 notable facts from the 2026 South African school calendar:
- First Day of School – Schools officially open on 14 January 2026, marking the start of Term 1.
- Longest Term – Term 2 is the longest, running for 12 weeks from 8 April – 26 June.
- Shortest Term – Term 3 is the shortest, lasting 10 weeks from 21 July – 23 September.
- Total School Days – The full 2026 academic year consists of 205 (209) scheduled school days.
- Actual School Days – Due to public holidays and special holidays, the actual number of teaching days is 200 (202).
- Public Holidays in School Time – There are five official public holidays that fall within school terms, plus one special school holiday.
- Easter Break – Good Friday (3 April) and Family Day (6 April) fall within Term 2.
- Youth Day Impact – 16 June (Youth Day) is observed within Term 2, contributing to fewer teaching days.
- Freedom & Workers’ Day – 27 April (Freedom Day) and 1 May (Workers’ Day) also fall during Term 2.
- Special School Holiday – 15 June is a designated school holiday, creating an extra-long Youth Day break.
- Women’s Day Observed Later – National Women’s Day (9 August) falls on a Sunday, so it is observed on Monday, 10 August.
- Public Holiday-Free Terms – Term 1 and Term 4 have zero public holidays affecting school days.
- Final School Day – The school year officially ends on 11 December 2026, though some schools may close on 9 December.
- Two Winter Breaks – The longest school holidays are in June-July (winter) and December-January (summer).
- Balanced Terms – The school terms are relatively even, with each term lasting between 10 to 12 weeks.
Check the 2027 School Calendar Here
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School Breaks in the 2026 South African School Calendar
Here’s a breakdown of the school break holidays for each term in 2026:
1️⃣ December 2025 – January 2026 (Summer Holiday)
- Start: Schools closed from December 2025
- End: Schools reopen on 14 January 2026
- Duration: ±4 weeks
- Notes: This is the longest school holiday, marking the transition into the new academic year.
2️⃣ March – April 2026 (Autumn Break)
- Start: Schools close on 27 March 2026 (end of Term 1)
- End: Schools reopen on 8 April 2026
- Duration: 11 days
- Notes: This break overlaps with Easter Weekend (3 April – Good Friday, 6 April – Family Day).
3️⃣ June – July 2026 (Winter Break)
- Start: Schools close on 26 June 2026 (end of Term 2)
- End: Schools reopen on 21 July 2026
- Duration: 3.5 weeks
- Notes: This is the second-longest school holiday, falling in the middle of the academic year.
4️⃣ September – October 2026 (Spring Break)
- Start: Schools close on 23 September 2026 (end of Term 3)
- End: Schools reopen on 6 October 2026
- Duration: 12 days
- Notes: A short spring holiday before the final term begins.
5️⃣ December 2026 – January 2027 (Summer Holiday)
- Start: Schools close on 11 December 2026 (some on 9 December)
- End: Schools likely reopen in mid-January 2027
- Duration: ±4 weeks
- Notes: This is the end-of-year holiday, leading into 2027.
FAQs for 2026 South African School Calendar, Terms and Holidays
When do schools open in South Africa for 2026?
According to the official Department of Basic Education 2026 school calendar, public schools across South Africa will open on 14 January 2026, marking the start of Term 1. This date applies to both primary and high schools in all provinces.
When do South African schools close for Term 1 in 2026?
Schools will close on 27 March 2026, signalling the end of Term 1 in the 2026 South African school term calendar. This will lead into the autumn school holidays, which run until early April.
When does Term 2 start in the 2026 South African school calendar?
Term 2 starts on 8 April 2026, right after the autumn break and Easter weekend. Parents, learners, and teachers can use this date to plan for travel or school reopening preparations.
How many public holidays are in Term 2 of the 2026 school calendar?
The 2026 school calendar includes five public holidays during Term 2:
- 3 April – Good Friday
- 6 April – Family Day
- 27 April – Freedom Day
- 1 May – Workers’ Day
- 16 June – Youth Day (with a special school holiday on 15 June)
These dates affect all South African public school holidays in 2026.
When do schools close for the June holidays in 2026?
Schools will close on 26 June 2026, marking the end of Term 2 and the start of the June–July winter school holidays. This is the longest mid-year break in the 2026 South African academic calendar.
When do schools reopen for Term 3 in 2026?
Schools will reopen on 21 July 2026 for Term 3, following the winter break. These dates apply to all provinces listed in the Department of Basic Education 2026 term calendar.
Which term is the shortest in the 2026 South African school year?
Term 3 is the shortest term in the 2026 South African academic year, lasting only 10 weeks — from 21 July to 23 September 2026. This term usually includes the Spring school holidays at the end.
When do schools close for the September 2026 holidays?
Schools will close on 23 September 2026, beginning the Spring break. This is part of the official school holidays in South Africa 2026 calendar, and schools will reopen in early October.
When do South African schools reopen for Term 4 in 2026?
Schools will reopen on 6 October 2026, starting Term 4, which runs until mid-December. Parents can view these details in the printable 2026 South African school calendar PDF.
Are there any public holidays in Term 4 of the 2026 school calendar?
No, there are no public holidays in Term 4 according to the 2026 Department of Basic Education calendar. This allows uninterrupted learning during the final term of the year.
When does the 2026 South African school year end?
The 2026 school year ends on 11 December 2026, though some schools may close earlier on 9 December 2026, as seen in the official South African school timetable 2026.
How many school days are there in South Africa for 2026?
Learners will attend school for around 200 to 202 actual school days in 2026, based on the Department of Basic Education term calendar. This count excludes weekends and public holidays.
Where can I download the 2026 South African school calendar PDF?
You can download the 2026 South African school calendar PDF directly from the Department of Basic Education website or from this page for a printable version that includes term dates, holidays, and public holidays.
What are the 2026 South African public school holidays by province?
The official 2026 school calendar applies to all nine provinces, including Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape, and North West. Independent schools may have slightly different term structures.
How can parents plan with the 2026 South African school term planner?
Parents can use the Term Planner Calculator 2026 on this page to check start dates, end dates, duration, and days left in each term. You can also add the school terms to Google Calendar for automatic reminders.
When is the next school break in South Africa 2026?
If you are reading this before 27 March 2026, the next school break will be the autumn holiday. After that, the next major breaks will be the June winter holidays, September spring holidays, and December summer holidays.
What is the difference between the school term calendar and the academic calendar in South Africa?
The school term calendar shows dates for public schools, while the academic calendar may include universities, TVET colleges, and private institutions, each with their own schedules.
Can teachers use the 2026 South African academic planner for lesson planning?
Yes, the teacher school calendar 2026 South Africa helps educators prepare lessons, tests, and exams based on official term dates and public holidays.
How long is Term 2 in the 2026 South African school calendar?
Term 2 lasts 12 weeks, from 8 April to 26 June 2026, making it the longest school term of the year in South Africa.
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