South Africa schools follow a structured calendar for 2026. This calendar consists of term dates and holiday breaks that are meant not just to include that much-needed balance in order to give teaching time to the students. And they, in turn, can use the same period of time as their planning vacation, events, or other treat in the year. Provincial education departments may change dates with permission from the South African Department of Education. The national framework is dependent upon this framework.
Term 1: January to March
Schools typically resume on an early January 2026 after a long break. The first quarter runs for 14 weeks until mid-April with a brief one-week break in the middle, giving students and teachers time for rest and relaxation. This term serves as the beginning of the academic year and usually contains orientation activities for new students and preparations administratively.
Term 2: April to June
Term 2 usually starts late in April and ends in late June. A mid-term break in May can be a breather from studies, and then the holiday in the middle of the year arrives. People mostly travel with families or spend quality time in a good, cooler environment.
Term 3: July to September.
Term 3 continues to start in early July, with its end at around mid-September. In August, students get a short mid-term recess, another chance to rest before the term finishes. In this term, students are preparing for various activities which would contribute to their performance at the end of the school year.
Term 4: October to December.
The last regular term of the year starts at the beginning of October and continues through early December. Short midterm rests, depending on the province, will take place in October or November.
The year closes off with the summer vacation giving students and teachers that long break before the 2027 academic year starts.
Holidays Procedure
Parents, educators, and students alike must be aware of the school calendar. Journeying, extra-curriculars, and family gatherings can be fitted around these forms to cause the minimum disruption to the learning process yet maximizing relaxation and recreation. There might be little variations for different provinces because they all could choose to issue a particular calendar, so families need to confirm all these details from local schools.
A calendar of 2026 provides an opportunity for families in South Africa to plan ahead in relation to school terms and assist in maximizing student preparation whilst at the same time ensuring the enjoyment of various breaks during the school year.