Amended School Calendar and Holidays – 2026
The South African Government Department of Basic Education (DBE) has released the revised school calendar and holidays (almanac) for 2026 academic sessions, newly admitted and returning students are to take note.
The academic calendar hints about the resumption and holiday dates for new and returning students 2026, examination date and other academic activities for the year.
See below, the South African Government DBE academic calendar for primary and high school students for the 2026 academic year.
DBE REVISED SCHOOL SESSIONAL AND HOLIDAY DATES FOR 2026 ACADEMIC SESSIONS
The academic calendar and holidays for 2026 academic session as approved by the Department of Basic Education.
2026 Academic Calendar for Public Schools (All Provinces)
All dates refer to 2026. Parenthetical numbers indicate alternative figures shown in the original summary (e.g., if a term is extended).
| Term | Duration (2026) | Public Holidays¹ | Actual School Days² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 January – 27 March | 0 | 53 (55) |
| 2 | 08 April – 26 June | 4 (3+1) | 54 |
| 3 | 21 July – 02 October | 3 (2+1) | 51 |
| 4 | 13 October – 09 (11) December | 0 | 42 (44) |
| Total | 7 (5+2) | 200 (204) |
Figures in brackets apply to schools that start or end later depending on provincial adjustments.
Public and School Holidays – 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 21 March | Human Rights Day |
| 3 April | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Family Day |
| 27 April | Freedom Day |
| 1 May | Workers’ Day |
| 15 June | Special School Holiday |
| 16 June | Youth Day |
| 9 August | National Women’s Day |
| 10 August | Public Holiday (in lieu of 9 Aug) |
| 24 September | Heritage Day |
| 16 December | Day of Reconciliation |
| 25 December | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Day of Goodwill |
At a Glance – Term Overview
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 14 January | 27 March | 11 weeks |
| Term 2 | 8 April | 26 June | 12 weeks |
| Term 3 | 21 July | 23 September | 10 weeks |
| Term 4 | 6 October | 9–11 December | 10 weeks |
Notes:
¹ Public holidays are shown as given in the summary (e.g., “3+1” means three public holidays plus one additional day observed).
² Actual school days exclude public holidays and weekends; numbers in parentheses appear in the original document and may reflect an alternative scenario (e.g., if a term is extended by two days).
Inland cluster: Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West
Coastal cluster: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape
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