2026 SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL CALENDARS
Plan the 2026 School Year with Confidence
Download the calendar that applies to your child’s school, then check the key term dates and holidays before you plan leave, childcare and family time.
SCHOOL YEAR PLANNER
2026
South African School Calendars
Term dates
School holidays
Public holidays
Public schools and ISASA / SAHISA Central Region
Two Clear Downloads
Public and independent-school options
Term Dates at a Glance
The key dates without the searching
Important Holidays
Public and special school holidays
Holiday Care Planning
A useful next step for working parents
DOWNLOAD THE RIGHT CALENDAR
Choose the Calendar That Applies to Your School
Use the guide below to make the right selection. Independent-school dates can vary, so always confirm final dates with your child’s school.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
South African Public Schools
The official national 2026 calendar for public schools, including term dates, public holidays and the special school holiday.
Choose this if your child attends a public or government school.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
ISASA / SAHISA Central Region
A combined Central Region calendar for independent schools, with both four-term and three-term schedules.
Choose this only if your school follows the ISASA / SAHISA Central Region calendar.
Public and government schools use the national public-school calendar.
Private and independent schools may follow ISASA dates or their own calendar, so check directly with your school.
TERM DATES AT A GLANCE
Key 2026 School Term Dates
Use this quick view for planning. Download the relevant calendar above for administration days, mid-term breaks, half terms and full detail.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
National Four-Term Calendar
Term 1
14 Jan – 27 Mar
Term 2
8 Apr – 26 Jun
Term 3
21 Jul – 23 Sep
Term 4
6 Oct – 9 Dec
Learner term dates. The official calendar also shows administration days.
ISASA CENTRAL REGION
Independent Four-Term Calendar
Term 1
14 Jan – 27 Mar
Term 2
14 Apr – 26 Jun
Term 3
21 Jul – 23 Sep
Term 4
13 Oct – 2 Dec
Includes additional mid-term and school holidays in the full calendar.
ISASA CENTRAL REGION
Independent Three-Term Calendar
Term 1
14 Jan – 10 Apr
Term 2
6 May – 7 Aug
Term 3
9 Sep – 4 Dec
Half-term dates and return dates are shown in the full calendar.
PUBLIC AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Important 2026 Dates for Family Planning
These dates follow the official public-school calendar. Independent schools may include additional mid-term or half-term breaks.
January to March
1 Jan
New Year’s Day
21 Mar
Human Rights Day
April to June
3 Apr
Good Friday
6 Apr
Family Day
27 Apr
Freedom Day
1 May
Workers’ Day
15 Jun
Special School Holiday
Public schools
16 Jun
Youth Day
July to September
9 Aug
National Women’s Day
10 Aug
Public Holiday
Women’s Day observed
24 Sep
Heritage Day
October to December
16 Dec
Day of Reconciliation
25 Dec
Christmas Day
26 Dec
Day of Goodwill
Source: Department of Basic Education 2026 Calendar for Public Schools. Always confirm any school-specific changes directly with your school.
WHEN SCHOOL CLOSES
Make Holiday Care
Part of the Plan
Club Engage holiday care gives children safe, active and engaging days while parents keep work and family plans moving.
- Convenient locations across South Africa
- Flexible booking options for busy families
- A varied programme of play, creativity and discovery
COMMON CALENDAR QUESTIONS
School Calendar FAQs
Clear answers to help you choose the right download and plan with confidence.
Choose the public-school calendar if your child attends a public or government school. If your child attends a private or independent school, confirm whether it follows the ISASA / SAHISA Central Region calendar or its own dates.
Yes. The Department of Basic Education published one national 2026 calendar for public schools. The downloadable calendar above contains the official term, public-holiday and special-school-holiday dates.
No. Independent schools can use different calendars. The download on this page is specifically for the ISASA / SAHISA Central Region and includes both four-term and three-term schedules.
Calendars are published in advance, but a school may communicate changes or additional dates. Use these calendars for planning and confirm final arrangements with your child’s school.
Use the Find a Club link to locate a Club Engage programme near you. Holiday-care availability, programme dates and booking options can differ by location.
Yes. Club Engage creates a new annual calendar resource when the next official calendars are available, so families can return for the latest school-year planning information.
Ready to Plan the School Holidays?
Find a Club Engage location and see what holiday care is available near your family.
