South African households are officially counting down to the 2026 school year. Parents and caregivers are already preparing for uniforms, stationery, and the return of early-morning routines.
The Department of Basic Education has confirmed that public schools will reopen on 14 January 2026.
Schools reopen nationwide on the same date
The 2026 academic year introduces a major shift in the school calendar. From 2026 onwards, all provinces will follow the same opening and closing dates.
This change ends the staggered calendar system, where inland provinces returned to school earlier than coastal regions. The new approach brings consistency for families, educators, and learners nationwide.
What’s changing in the 2026 school calendar
The revised calendar policy was gazetted late last year and takes effect in 2026. The aim is to simplify planning for parents and improve alignment across provinces.
All public schools will now:
• Open and close on the same dates nationwide
• Follow a unified term structure
• Align school holidays more closely with public holidays
Proposed 2026 school calendar
First term
Schools open: 14 January 2026
Schools close: 27 March 2026
School holidays: 28 March to 7 April 2026
Second term
Schools open: 8 April 2026
Schools close: 26 June 2026
Public holidays:
Freedom Day: 27 April
Workers’ Day: 1 May
Youth Day: 16 June
Special school holiday: 15 June 2026
School holidays: 27 June to 20 July 2026
Third term
Schools open: 21 July 2026
Schools close: 23 September 2026
Public holidays:
National Women’s Day: 9 to 10 August 2026
School holidays: 24 September to 5 October 2026
Fourth term
Schools open: 6 October 2026
Schools close: 9 December 2026
Public holidays:
Day of Reconciliation: 16 December
Christmas Day: 25 December
Day of Goodwill: 26 December
What this means for families
A synchronised calendar removes uncertainty around term dates and holidays. Families with children in different provinces now follow the same schedule. Travel, childcare, and work planning become simpler.
With schools reopening on 14 January 2026, households have a clear timeline to prepare for the year ahead.
