The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has officially published the 2026 School Calendar for Public Schools in South Africa. This calendar applies to inland and coastal public schools and outlines school terms, holidays, public holidays, and total school days for the 2026 academic year.
Whether you are a parent, learner, educator, or school administrator, this guide provides everything you need to plan ahead for school terms, exams, and holidays in 2026.
When Do Schools Open in 2026?
Public schools in South Africa will open on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 for learners.
Teachers are required to report earlier for administrative duties.
School Terms for 2026 in South Africa
Term 1: January – March 2026
- Starts: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
- Ends: Friday, 27 March 2026
- Duration: 11 weeks
- Actual school days: 53 days
Term 2: April – June 2026
- Starts: Wednesday, 8 April 2026
- Ends: Friday, 26 June 2026
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Actual school days: 54 days
Term 3: July – September 2026
- Starts: Tuesday, 21 July 2026
- Ends: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Actual school days: 46 days
Term 4: October – December 2026
- Starts: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
- Ends: Wednesday, 9 December 2026
- Duration: 10 weeks
- Actual school days: 47 days
Total School Days in 2026
- Total weeks: 43 weeks
- Total days (including admin days): 205 days
- Actual teaching days: 200 school days
School Holidays in 2026
Between Term Holidays
- March/April Holiday: 28 March – 7 April 2026
- June/July Holiday: 27 June – 20 July 2026
- September/October Holiday: 24 September – 5 October 2026
- December Holiday: From 10 December 2026
Public and Special School Holidays in 2026
The following public holidays fall within the 2026 school calendar:
- 01 January – New Year’s Day
- 21 March – Human Rights Day
- 03 April – Good Friday
- 06 April – Family Day
- 27 April – Freedom Day
- 01 May – Workers’ Day
- 15 June – Special School Holiday
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 09 August – National Women’s Day
- 10 August – Public Holiday
- 24 September – Heritage Day
- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
Important Notes for Parents and Learners
- The 2026 calendar applies to public schools only.
- Independent and private schools may follow different calendars.
- Provincial education departments may issue minor adjustments, but term dates usually remain the same.
- Schools may schedule exams and internal assessments within these term periods.
Why the 2026 School Calendar Matters
Planning with the official school calendar helps families:
- Book holidays in advance
- Prepare for exam periods
- Manage transport, childcare, and work schedules
- Avoid missing important school days
For educators and schools, it ensures compliance with minimum teaching days as required by national education policy.