2026 CALENDAR FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS - No. 5901 - 25 February 2025

Sep 24, 2026

National Education Policy Act, 1996 (Act No. 27 of 1996) notice from the Department of Basic Education publishes the 2026 calendar for public schools in South Africa. The gazette statement is issued by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, and refers to publication after consultation with the Council of Education Ministers. The schedule includes public and school holidays, term durations, week/day totals, and the number of actual school days.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Summary of 2026 calendar for public schools

Public and School Holidays 2026

Term breakdown and school days

Government notices • GoewermentskennisGewinGs DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION NO. 5901 25 February 2025 NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY ACT, 1996 (ACT NO 27 OF 1996) 2026 CALENDAR FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS I, Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education, acting in terms of section 3(4)(k) of the National Education Policy Act, 1996,(Act No. 27 of 1996), and after consultation with the Council of Education Ministers, hereby publish the 2026 Calendar for public schools in South Africa as detailed in the accompanying schedule. MS SIVIWE GWARUBE, MP MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION DATE: 12/02/2025 This gazette [is also available free online at](is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za)[ ](is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za)[www.gpwonline.co.za](is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za) 2026 CALENDAR FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Public and School Holidays 2026 | | | --- | --- | | 01 January | New Year’s Day | | 21 March | Human Rights Day | | 03 April | Good Friday | | 06 April | Family Day | | 27 April | Freedom Day | | 01 May | Workers’ Day | | 15 June | Special School Holiday | | 16 June | Youth Day | | 09 August | National Women’s Day | | 10 August | Public Holiday | | 24 September | Heritage Day | | 16 December | Day of Reconciliation | | 25 December | Christmas Day | | 26 December | Day of Goodwill | | | Weekends | | --- | --- | | | Days for administration | | --- | --- | | | School days | | --- | --- | | | Public holidays | | --- | --- | | | Special school holidays | | --- | --- | | | School holidays | | --- | --- | SUMMARY OF 2026 CALENDAR FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Term | Duration | No. of
weeks | No. of
days | No. of public holidays | Actual no. of
school days | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | (12) 14 January – 27 March | 11 | 53 (55) | 0 | 53 (55) | | 2 | 08 April – 26 June | 12 | 58 | 3+1 | 54 | | 3 | 21 July – 23 September | 10 | 47 | 1 | 46 | | 4 | 06 October – 09 (11) December | 10 | 47 (49) | 0 | 47(49) | | Total | | 43 | 205 (209) | 4+1 | 200 (204) | This gazette [is also available free online at](is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za)[ ](is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za)[www.gpwonline.co.za](is also available free online at www.gpwonline.co.za)

FAQs

Who issued the 2026 calendar for public schools?

The gazette is published by the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, acting under the National Education Policy Act, 1996.

What does the calendar include besides public holidays?

It includes public and school holidays, school days, special school holidays, and a term-by-term summary covering durations, weeks, days, and actual school days.

How many terms are listed in the 2026 calendar summary?

Four terms are listed, followed by totals summarizing weeks, days, public holidays, and actual school days.

Sep 24, 2026

Upload by Pentious