Last updated: [2025-01-10]
Table of Contents
This page summarizes the official 2025 school calendar for public schools in South Africa (terms, holiday windows and key public holidays). Dates below are taken from the Department of Basic Education and the government school calendar notices — always double-check with your provincial education department for local variations and special school holidays.
Source: Department of Basic Education / Government notices.
Key official publication: the 2025 school calendar for public schools.
National 2025 Term Dates (Public Schools)
| Term | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 15 January 2025 | 28 March 2025 |
| Term 2 | 08 April 2025 | 27 June 2025 |
| Term 3 | 22 July 2025 | 03 October 2025 |
| Term 4 | 13 October 2025 | 12 December 2025 |
These national dates are published by the Department of Basic Education and the Government Gazette. Public and special school holidays are included in the official calendar.
Public & Special School Holidays (Selected 2025 highlights)
- 1 Jan — New Year’s Day
- 21 Mar — Human Rights Day
- 18 Apr — Good Friday; 21 Apr — Family Day
- 27 Apr — Freedom Day (observed 28 Apr in 2025)
- 1 May — Workers’ Day (with special school holiday days listed around late April / early May in some provinces)
- 16 Jun — Youth Day; 9 Aug — National Women’s Day; 24 Sep — Heritage Day
See the national calendar PDF for the full public holiday breakdown.
Provincial Variations — Quick Notes
Gauteng (note)
Gauteng follows the national calendar for term starts/ends but may publish specific school planning dates and exam timetables locally. Schools sometimes add a special school holiday during the late April / early May window — check the Gauteng education portal for local circulars (link in the footer/internal links).
Western Cape
The Western Cape Education Department publishes the school calendar and provincial public-holiday adjustments (e.g., special school holidays on 29–30 April 2025). Check the WCED planning calendar for school-specific closures and admin dates.
KZN (KwaZulu-Natal)
KZN generally follows the national dates but posts a provincial calendar with certain administrative and exam-related dates. Confirm specific school-level closures or staff development days on the KZN education site.
Practical Tips for Parents & Caregivers
- Save key term start/end dates to your calendar now — many bookings (travel, camps, tutoring) depend on exact school dates.
- Check your child’s school newsletter and the provincial circular for school-level changes (development days, assessments).
- Public holidays that fall during term time can create special school holiday days — watch for provincial announcements.
- For school transfer or admin queries, contact the school principal or district office; DO NOT rely on social posts for calendar accuracy.
FAQ — School Holidays 2025
Where can I download the official school holiday calendar PDF?
The official Government Gazette and the Department of Basic Education have PDFs of the 2025 calendar — these are the authoritative sources.
Why do some schools have extra “special” holidays?
Provinces or districts sometimes schedule special school holidays (for example, around public holiday windows) for administrative reasons — check provincial circulars for details.
Note: We source school calendars from official Department of Basic Education publications. Dates may change if the Department issues updates — always check the Department or your provincial education department for last-minute changes.
