The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has unveiled an exciting update for the 2025 school calendar, offering South African pupils a well-deserved break with a ‘special’ holiday week following the Easter long weekend.
As the nation gears up for the holidays, both students and teachers can look forward to a refreshing pause in their academic schedules.
Following the Easter holiday, which includes Good Friday and Family Day, with classes resuming on April 22. However, in a surprising announcement, the DBE has granted an additional respite from April 28 to April 30. This three-day extension comes in response to the country’s observance of Freedom Day—which falls on a Sunday this year—allowing for an extra week of holiday fun before schools reopen on May 5.
The 2025 school calendar has been meticulously crafted, showcasing a total of 27 scheduled school holidays. This is an increase from the 2024 calendar, which had 25 holidays, yet it reflects the continued trend of fewer breaks compared to previous years—32 holidays in 2023 and 33 in 2022.
The new adjustments aim to balance educational needs with the well-being of students and educators alike.
Public Holidays: Good Friday (April 18, 2025), Family Day (April 21, 2025), Freedom Day (April 27, 2025), Workers’ Day (May 1, 2025), Youth Day (June 16, 2025)
Special School Holidays: April 29 to May 2, 2025
School Holidays: June 27 to July 21, 2025
Term 3 will commence on July 22, leading up to a closure date of October 3, 2025. In addition to the school dates, significant public holidays will also be marked during this term, including National Women’s Day on August 9 and Heritage Day on September 24. The holidays scheduled for the first week of October will provide further time for relaxation and reflection.
As for Term 4, classes will begin on October 13 and conclude on December 10, 2025, with administration days following on December 11 and 12. Meanwhile, the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA) has noted that independent schools will operate on a condensed schedule, commencing on January 15 and concluding their academic year on December 3.
This year’s adjustments to the school calendar not only allow for relaxation and family time but also aim to offer educators and learners a well-rounded educational experience, taking into consideration the vital necessity for downtime amidst rigorous learning environments.
