Johannesburg – As the countdown to the 2026 academic year officially begins, South African families are already preparing for the familiar routine of uniforms, stationery lists, and early-morning alarms. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that public schools will reopen on 14 January 2026, setting the stage for a new year of learning.
The Department of Basic Education has published the 2026 school calendar, which kicks off on 14 January 2026 for all learners. Teachers and administrators will begin the year a bit earlier, starting on 12 January in preparation for learners to return.
Here’s the proposed 2026 school calendar to help parents stay ahead.
FIRST TERM:
- Schools start: 14 January 2026
- Schools close: 27 March 2026
- School holidays: 28 March to 7 April 2026
SECOND TERM:
- Schools start: 8 April 2026
- Schools close: 26 June 2026
- Public holidays: Freedom Day (27 April 2026), Workers’ Day (1 May 2026), Youth Day (16 June 2026)
- Special school holidays: 15 June 2026
- School holidays: 27 June to 20 July 2026
THIRD TERM:
- School start: 21 July 2026
- Schools close: 23 September 2026
- Public holidays: National Women’s Day (9 and 10 August 2026)
- School holidays: 24 September to 05 October 2026
FOURTH TERM:
- School start: 06 October 2026
- Schools close: 09 December 2026
- Public holidays: Day of Reconciliation (16 December 2026), Christmas Day (25 December 2026), Day of Goodwill (26 December 2026)
The 2026 school year comprises 200 school days across the four terms, with 28 days set aside for school holidays and five public holidays. Notably, the department has declared one additional ‘special’ school holiday, granting an extra day off on 15 June 2026.
This is because Youth Day is observed on Tuesday, 16 June, meaning the special holiday gives schools the Monday before then off.
In South Africa, the Department of Basic Education and relevant stakeholders can grant special school holidays whenever they deem appropriate. These stakeholders include representatives from the Department of Transport, religious groups, NGOs, the private sector, and the department itself. When compiling the 2026 calendar, the Department of Basic Education and relevant stakeholders agreed to allow students and teachers a special school holiday.
Late last year, the department gazetted several changes to the national policy for determining school calendars, which will come into effect this year. Among the biggest shifts is the scrapping of staggered calendars, meaning all provinces will now start and end the school year at the same time. The proposed policy states that “schools must open in the third week of January”, ending the long-standing system that saw inland provinces start a week earlier than coastal ones.
Commenting on why inland and coastal schools are now starting on the same day, the National Department of Basic Education noted that changes in public holidays and other calendar determinants mean that the department must adjust to ensure no delays in the term. “All possible steps must be taken to avoid a late start of the school year – that is, in the fourth week of January – as this pushes back all the terms,” it said. “Each year, the Department reviews the impact of the policy and considers the number of days that will be available in the coming years based on the national calendar. The focus is on ensuring that there is no loss in terms of the number of days allocated for schooling,” he added.
Private School Calendar
For private schools, the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa’s (ISASA) school calendar guidelines show that students will start term on the same day in 2026. However, private schools will also have slightly fewer school days than their public counterparts.
According to the ISASA school calendar guidelines, all independent schools will start on 14 January 2026 and conclude on 4 December. This is one day earlier than in 2025, when schools started on 15 January.
Some private schools—such as those in Kwa-Zulu Natal—follow a four-term system similar to that of public schools. These schools will have 183 school days in 2026, one fewer than the 184 pencilled in for 2025. Interestingly, the majority of private schools that will follow the three-term system will have 180 school days, which is even fewer days than the four-term private schools.
It should be noted that there are no universal term dates or calendars that apply to all independent schools in South Africa. Many independent schools follow the public school calendar, while others follow an association calendar. Some independent schools follow their own specific calendars.
The calendar committee of the ISASA Central Region (Gauteng, Free State, North West and Northern Cape) publishes a Central Region Calendar as a guideline for member schools in the region. ISASA member schools in the Central Region are not required to follow this calendar, although most do.
Preparing for the Return to School
With the back-to-school rush fast approaching, education specialists warn that leaving preparations to the final days of the holiday could make the transition harder for children. Inspired Education South Africa’s education and ethos liaison, Lionel Botha, said December should have been treated as “a gentle window to set children up for a smoother start in January”.
Botha outlined several key strategies to help children ease back into the academic routine.
- Re-establish healthy routines: Botha said one of the most important steps was easing pupils back into structure before the holidays ended. “Children thrive on rhythm,” he said. “During the holidays, bedtimes, screen time and mornings can drift, so easing back toward predictable sleep and daily habits by early January helps enormously.” According to him, predictable routines make the return to school “far less jarring”.
- Build excitement through conversation: Botha encouraged parents to talk openly to their children about the year ahead. “Discuss new teachers, subjects, friendships and goals,” he said. “Helping them imagine what’s coming reduces anxiety and allows them to return feeling confident and prepared.”
- Keep reading – together: Botha said reading remained one of the easiest ways to keep young minds active without turning the holidays into additional schoolwork. “Reading strengthens vocabulary, concentration and imagination,” Botha explained. “Whether it’s novels, comics, or non-fiction, the goal is to keep them reading for pleasure.”
- Reset learning spaces: A tidy environment can have a powerful psychological effect on children preparing for a new grade, he noted. “A clean desk and organised backpack might seem small, but it changes the tone for the year ahead,” Botha said. “Clearing out old notes, broken pencils, and clutter gives children a sense of freshness and readiness.”
- Support emotional well-being: Botha urged parents not to overlook rest and emotional balance. “The school year can be demanding, and holidays are an opportunity for children to rest, play and reconnect with family,” he said. Unstructured time, outdoor play and relaxed conversations “help build resilience and emotional balance.”
With schools reopening on 14 January 2026, Botha said these small steps could make a “significant difference” when pupils return to classrooms. As families across South Africa gear up for another year of learning, proactive preparation and a focus on well-being will be key to ensuring a successful transition for students of all ages.
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