How the South African School Year Works

South African public schools follow a four-term school year, generally running from mid-January to early December:

• Term 1: Jan – Mar

• Term 2: Apr – Jun

• Term 3: Jul – Sep

• Term 4: Oct – Dec

This structure helps families and educators plan around holidays, exams and academic periods. Independent or private schools may have slightly different calendars, so always check with a specific school. Schools4SA

2026 Public School Term Dates

Below are the official dates for all public schools across South Africa:

Term 1

📅 Start: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
📅 End: Friday, 27 March 2026
📌 No public holidays during this term. South African Government

Term 2

📅 Start: Wednesday, 8 April 2026
📅 End: Friday, 26 June 2026
📌 Includes Freedom Day (27 April), Workers’ Day (1 May) and Youth Day (16 June) — and a special school holiday on 15 June. The Citizen

Term 3

📅 Start: Tuesday, 21 July 2026
📅 End: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
📌 Mid-term includes National Women’s Day observances. The Citizen

Term 4

📅 Start: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
📅 End: Wednesday, 9 December 2026
📌 Some schools may schedule admin/teacher days up to 11 December. South African Government

Find School Holidays here