Last updated: [2025-11-02]
The Department of Basic Education published the 2026 school calendar (summary and Government Gazette) during 2025. Below are the official national term windows and key public holidays for 2026. Provincial calendars may have small local adjustments — always verify with your province or school.
Table of Contents
National 2026 Term Dates (Public Schools)
| Term | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 14 January 2026 | 27 March 2026 |
| Term 2 | 08 April 2026 | 26 June 2026 |
| Term 3 | 21 July 2026 | 23 September 2026 |
| Term 4 | 06 October 2026 | 11 December 2026 |
These dates are taken from the published 2026 school calendar and Government Gazette summary. For the official PDF and the complete public holiday list consult the Department of Basic Education publications.
Public & Special School Holidays (Selected 2026 highlights)
- 1 Jan — New Year’s Day
- 21 Mar — Human Rights Day
- 3 Apr — Good Friday; 6 Apr — Family Day
- 27 Apr — Freedom Day; 1 May — Workers’ Day
- 15 Jun — Special school holiday; 16 Jun — Youth Day
- 9 Aug — National Women’s Day (observed 10 Aug in some cases)
- 24 Sep — Heritage Day; mid-December term end
Full holiday lists and any special school holiday declarations are shown in the Government Gazette summary for 2026.
Provincial Notes (Gauteng → Western Cape → KZN)
Gauteng
Gauteng schools follow the national dates but post circulars for admin days, exams and teacher training. If your child’s school lists additional “staff development” days, these are provincial or school-level decisions.
Western Cape
The Western Cape Education Department publishes a planning calendar that mirrors national dates but may include specific school holidays in late April / early May or other administrative closures. See the WCED planning calendar for details.
KZN
KwaZulu-Natal provides a provincial calendar and circulars for schools. KZN sometimes schedules extra admin days or exam windows within national term dates — check the KZN education website.
Tips & Planning (2026)
- Publish travel and activity plans only after the school confirms term dates and special leave days.
- Teachers’ workdays and exam weeks vary — check school newsletters for exact exam timetables.
- Download the official Government Gazette / DBE PDF for the authoritative, printable calendar.
FAQ — School Holidays 2026
Where can I get the official 2026 South African shool holiday calendar in PDF?
The Department of Basic Education and the Government Gazette host the official PDF for the 2026 calendar. Use those PDFs for printing or sharing with parents and caregivers.
Note: This page summarises the official 2026 school calendar published by the DBE. For final, school-level dates and exam timetables check your provincial education department and your child’s school.
