South Africa School Calendar 2026 – Opening and Closing Dates
2026 School Calendar South Africa – Complete Guide To Public & Private Schools, Term Dates, Holidays & Schedules: This comprehensive guide provides all the essential dates, term schedules and holiday information you need for effective planning throughout 2026.
South Africa School Calendar 2026
(1) for Educators
(2) for Learners
Terms (All Provinces)
1. First Term
Opens: 12 January (1) | 14 January (2)
Closes: 27 March
2. Second Term
Opens: 8 April
Closes: 26 June
3. Third Term
Opens: 21 July
Closes: 23 September
4. Fourth Term
Opens: 6 October
Closes: 9 December (2) | 11 December (1)
South Public Holidays 2026 (Including School Holidays)
1 January 2026 – New Year’s Day
21 March 2026 – Human Rights Day
3 April 2026 – Good Friday
6 April 2026 – Family Day
27 April 2026 – Freedom Day
1 May 2026 – Workers’ Day
15 June 2026 – Special school holiday
16 June 2026 – Youth Day
9 August 2026 – National Women’s Day
10 August 2026 – Public holiday
24 September 2026 – Heritage Day
16 December 2026 – Day of Reconciliation
25 December 2026 – Christmas Day
26 December 2026 – Day of Goodwill
27 December 2027 – Public holiday
School Planning Calendar(s)
Planning Calendar for Schools 2026: key dates to assist schools in planning for the year ahead
English | Afrikaans | IsiXhosa
