Education

South Africa School Holiday Dates 2025 — Full Calendar

✎ James Mthembu📅 March 17, 2025⏱ 7 min read📍 Johannesburg

The Department of Basic Education has confirmed the official school calendar for 2025 for public schools across all nine provinces. Parents, educators, and learners are encouraged to note these dates for planning purposes. Private schools may follow slightly different calendars.

Term 1 — 2025

Term 1 runs from Wednesday, 15 January 2025 to Friday, 28 March 2025. Schools in the Western Cape follow a slightly different start date. The March/April school holidays begin on Tuesday, 1 April 2025, giving families just over two weeks before the start of Term 2.

Term 2 — 2025

Term 2 runs from Tuesday, 22 April 2025 to Friday, 27 June 2025. This term includes Freedom Day (27 April), Workers Day (1 May), and Youth Day (16 June), all of which fall on public holidays. The mid-year school holidays run from Monday, 30 June 2025.

Term 3 and Term 4 — 2025

Term 3 runs from Tuesday, 22 July 2025 to Friday, 26 September 2025. Term 4 begins on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 and ends on Thursday, 4 December 2025 for most grades. Grade 12 learners may have different end dates depending on the National Senior Certificate examination schedule.

Planning Tips for the School Year

Families planning holidays are advised to book well in advance for school holiday periods, particularly the June/July and December breaks which are peak travel seasons. The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) also advises motorists to expect higher traffic volumes on major routes during the start and end of school holidays.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult a registered financial adviser before making any financial decisions.