South African School Terms & Calendar

Official Department of Basic Education (DBE) 4-term schedule & ISASA independent school guide.

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Calendar Synchronization Notice The Public School calendar is gazetted nationally by the Department of Basic Education for all nine provinces. Independent and private schools (ISASA) often follow a 3-term or adjusted 4-term calendar. Please verify exact term commencement and half-term dates with your school administration.

2026 Academic Year

school Public Schools (National 4-Term Calendar)

DBE Official
Term Starts Ends Duration
Term 1 (12) 14 Jan 2026 Fri 27 Mar 2026 11 Weeks
Term 2 Wed 8 Apr 2026 Fri 26 Jun 2026 12 Weeks
Term 3 Tue 21 Jul 2026 Wed 23 Sep 2026 10 Weeks
Term 4 Tue 6 Oct 2026 Wed 9 Dec 2026* 10 Weeks

*Schools officially close on Wednesday 9 December for learners and Friday 11 December for educators.

domain Independent Schools (ISASA 3-Term Guide)

ISASA Guide
Term Starts Mid-Term Break Ends
Term 1 Wed 14 Jan 2026 19 Feb - 24 Feb Fri 10 Apr 2026
Term 2 Wed 6 May 2026 26 Jun - 6 Jul Fri 7 Aug 2026
Term 3 Wed 9 Sep 2026 22 Oct - 27 Oct Fri 4 Dec 2026

Dates based on the Central Region 3-Term Calendar. Coastal and private boarding academies may differ slightly.

2027 Academic Year

Upcoming

school Public Schools (National 4-Term Calendar)

DBE Official
Term Starts Ends Duration
Term 1 (11) 13 Jan 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 11 Weeks
Term 2 Tue 6 Apr 2027 Fri 25 Jun 2027 12 Weeks
Term 3 Tue 20 Jul 2027 Wed 22 Sep 2027 10 Weeks
Term 4 Tue 5 Oct 2027 Wed 8 Dec 2027* 10 Weeks

*Schools officially close on Wednesday 8 December for learners and Friday 10 December for educators.

domain Independent Schools (ISASA 3-Term Guide)

ISASA Guide
Term Starts Mid-Term Break Ends
Term 1 Wed 13 Jan 2027 18 Feb - 23 Feb Fri 9 Apr 2027
Term 2 Wed 5 May 2027 25 Jun - 5 Jul Fri 6 Aug 2027
Term 3 Wed 8 Sep 2027 21 Oct - 26 Oct Fri 3 Dec 2027

Dates based on the Central Region 3-Term Calendar. Coastal and private boarding academies may differ slightly.