School Calendar 2026 in South Africa: Term Dates, Holidays and Key Changes

The school calendar 2026 for South Africa has been officially published by the Department of Basic Education. The calendar confirms when schools will open, how the four terms are structured, the number of school days, and the public and special holidays that affect learning time.

This guide explains everything parents, learners, and teachers need to know about the 2026 school calendar — including term dates, public holidays, the special holiday in June, and how private school calendars differ.

When Does the 2026 School Year Start?

All public schools in South Africa will open on:

• Learners: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
• Teachers and staff: Monday, 12 January 2026

This applies to both inland and coastal schools. The department ended the split calendar system in 2024, and both regions now follow the same start date to avoid delays and loss of teaching time.

2026 School Term Dates

The school calendar 2026 consists of four terms:

Term	Dates	Length
Term 1	14 January – 27 March	11 weeks
Term 2	8 April – 26 June	12 weeks
Term 3	21 July – 23 September	10 weeks
Term 4	6 October – 9 December	10 weeks

The school year ends on 9 December 2026 for public schools.

How Many School Days Are There in 2026?

According to the official calendar, 2026 has:

• 200 actual school days
• 28 school holiday days
• 5 public holidays during school time
• 1 special school holiday

This ensures that the minimum required number of teaching days is met.

The term breakdown confirms:

• Term 1: 53 school days
• Term 2: 54 school days
• Term 3: 46 school days
• Term 4: 47 school days

Total = 200 school days.

Public Holidays Affecting Schools in 2026

Here are the main public holidays during the school year:

• 21 March — Human Rights Day
• 27 April — Freedom Day
• 1 May — Workers’ Day
• 16 June — Youth Day
• 24 September — Heritage Day

In addition, the following holidays fall outside term time or do not affect learning days:

• 1 January — New Year’s Day
• 3 April — Good Friday
• 6 April — Family Day
• 9 August — National Women’s Day
• 10 August — Public Holiday
• 16 December — Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December — Christmas Day
• 26 December — Day of Goodwill

Special School Holiday in 2026

A special school holiday has been declared for:

• Monday, 15 June 2026

This is to create a long weekend around Youth Day on Tuesday, 16 June. Schools will therefore be closed on both Monday and Tuesday that week.

The Department of Basic Education works with other stakeholders — including transport authorities, religious groups, NGOs, and the private sector — to approve such changes when needed.

Why Inland and Coastal Schools Start on the Same Day

The Department of Basic Education explained that the unified start date helps:

• Prevent a late start to the school year
• Avoid pushing teaching into late December
• Ensure enough teaching days are available
• Align the school calendar better with the national public holiday calendar

This policy is reviewed every year to make sure no learning time is lost.

Private School Calendar for 2026

Private and independent schools do not follow one single compulsory calendar.

However, the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) guidelines show that:

• Most private schools will also start on 14 January 2026
• Most will end earlier, on 4 December 2026
• Private schools will generally have fewer school days than public schools

Typical structures:

• Four-term private schools: about 183 school days
• Three-term private schools: about 180 school days

Some private schools follow the public calendar, some follow ISASA guidelines, and others use their own internal calendars. There is no universal rule for all private schools.

Summary: School Calendar 2026 at a Glance

• Schools open: 14 January 2026
• Schools close: 9 December 2026
• Total school days: 200
• Special holiday: 15 June 2026
• Youth Day: 16 June 2026
• Four terms across the year
• Inland and coastal schools follow the same dates

The school calendar 2026 is designed to provide stability, protect teaching time, and align schools with national holidays. Parents and learners can now plan transport, childcare, holidays, and study schedules with confidence.

If you are choosing between public and private schooling, always confirm dates directly with your school, as independent schools may follow different calendars.