2025 School Calendar in South Africa
In 2025, the school calendar for public schools in South Africa is unified across all provinces, with no differences between inland and coastal regions. This alignment continues from changes introduced in 2024. The academic year consists of 200 actual school days, spread across four terms, with administration days at the start of Term 1 and end of Term 4. Private schools (e.g., those following IEB or ISASA guidelines) may have slight variations, but the details below focus on the official public school calendar from the Department of Basic Education.
Table of Contents
Key Features
- Total weeks: 43
- Total days (including public holidays): 209
- Actual school days: 200 (after deducting public and special holidays during terms)
- Special school holidays: Three additional days off due to public holidays falling on Sundays, as per the Public Holidays Act of 1994. These create a longer break around Workers’ Day.
Term Dates and School Holidays (Vacation Periods)
The following table outlines the term start and end dates, along with the subsequent vacation periods (school holidays between terms). Holidays include weekends and any overlapping public holidays.
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Duration (Weeks/Days) | Vacation Period (School Holiday) | Vacation Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 15 January 2025 (Wednesday) | 28 March 2025 (Friday) | 11 weeks / 53 days | 29 March 2025 – 7 April 2025 | 10 days |
| Term 2 | 8 April 2025 (Tuesday) | 27 June 2025 (Friday) | 12 weeks / 59 days | 28 June 2025 – 21 July 2025 | 24 days |
| Term 3 | 22 July 2025 (Tuesday) | 3 October 2025 (Friday) | 11 weeks / 54 days | 4 October 2025 – 12 October 2025 | 9 days |
| Term 4 | 13 October 2025 (Monday) | 10 December 2025 (Wednesday) | 9 weeks / 43 days | 11 December 2025 – 12 January 2026 (summer break starts after admin days on 11-12 December 2025) | ~32 days (until next school year) |
Notes on vacations:
- Vacation periods are when schools are closed for learners. Teachers may have administration or professional development days at the start/end of terms (e.g., 13-14 January for Term 1 prep, 11-12 December for year-end admin).
- The Term 2 vacation is longer to account for winter break.
- The end-of-year summer holiday extends into 2026, with schools reopening around mid-January (exact 2026 date not specified here).
Public Holidays in 2025
Public holidays are national days off, and schools are closed on these dates if they fall on weekdays during term time. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday, potentially leading to additional special school closures. Here’s the full list:
| Date | Holiday Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2025 (Wednesday) | New Year’s Day | Falls before school starts; no impact on term time. |
| 21 March 2025 (Friday) | Human Rights Day | During Term 1; schools closed. |
| 18 April 2025 (Friday) | Good Friday | During Term 2; schools closed. |
| 21 April 2025 (Monday) | Family Day (Easter Monday) | During Term 2; schools closed. |
| 27 April 2025 (Sunday) | Freedom Day | Observed on 28 April 2025 (Monday); schools closed during Term 2. |
| 1 May 2025 (Thursday) | Workers’ Day | During Term 2; schools closed. |
| 16 June 2025 (Monday) | Youth Day | During Term 2; schools closed. |
| 9 August 2025 (Saturday) | National Women’s Day | Falls on a weekend; no additional closure, but if observed, minimal impact as it’s during Term 3 (some sources note it as “lost” if on weekend). |
| 24 September 2025 (Wednesday) | Heritage Day | During Term 3; schools closed. |
| 16 December 2025 (Tuesday) | Day of Reconciliation | After school ends; no impact on term time. |
| 25 December 2025 (Thursday) | Christmas Day | During summer holiday. |
| 26 December 2025 (Friday) | Day of Goodwill | During summer holiday. |
Special School Holidays
These are additional closures for public schools, declared to bridge gaps created by clustered public holidays:
- 29 April 2025 (Tuesday)
- 30 April 2025 (Wednesday)
- 2 May 2025 (Friday)
This creates a extended break from 28 April (Freedom Day observed) to 2 May, effectively “writing off” that week during Term 2. Schools resume on 5 May 2025 (Monday).
For any variations in private or independent schools, consult specific institutions or associations like ISASA. If you’re planning travel or activities, note that weather in coastal areas may differ from inland, but the dates remain the same nationwide.