OFFICIAL DATES · UPDATED 27 AUGUST 2026
The Department of Basic Education has published the final national public-school calendars for 2026 and 2027. The dates in this guide have been checked against the official calendars.
These South Africa school calendars for 2026 and 2027 have been checked against the final Department of Basic Education publications. Use this guide to plan school terms, family time, leave and childcare. If your child attends an independent school, confirm the dates directly with the school because private-school calendars can differ.
2026 AT A GLANCE
Official 2026 Public-School Term Dates
Public schools across South Africa follow one national calendar in 2026. The year begins for children on 14 January, ends on 9 December and includes 200 school days.
TERM 1
14 January – 27 March
TERM 2
8 April – 26 June
TERM 3
21 July – 23 September
TERM 4
6 October – 9 December
Planning note: These are the dates for children. The official calendar also shows administration days for educators. Club Engage’s complete 2026 resource includes public-school and ISASA / SAHISA Central Region downloads.
PLAN AHEAD
Official 2027 Public-School Term Dates
The 2027 public-school calendar is final, not proposed. School begins for children on 13 January and ends on 8 December. The year contains 197 school days for children.
TERM 1
13 January – 19 March
TERM 2
6 April – 25 June
TERM 3
20 July – 22 September
TERM 4
5 October – 8 December
BETWEEN THE TERMS
2027 Public-School Holiday Periods
These breaks are calculated from the closing and opening dates in the official public-school calendar. Confirm any additional school-specific dates directly with your child’s school.
AUTUMN BREAK
20 March – 5 April
Term 2 begins on 6 April.
WINTER BREAK
26 June – 19 July
Term 3 begins on 20 July.
SPRING BREAK
23 September – 4 October
Term 4 begins on 5 October.
YEAR-END BREAK
After 8 December
The 2028 school year follows its own published calendar.
DATES TO MARK
Important Public and School Holidays in 2027
Not every public holiday falls during a school term, but these dates are useful when planning travel, childcare and family time.
January to March
- 1 January: New Year’s Day
- 21 March: Human Rights Day
- 22 March: Public holiday for Human Rights Day
- 26 March: Good Friday
- 29 March: Family Day
April to August
- 26 April: Special school holiday
- 27 April: Freedom Day
- 1 May: Workers’ Day
- 16 June: Youth Day
- 9 August: National Women’s Day
September to December
- 24 September: Heritage Day
- 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December: Christmas Day
- 26 December: Day of Goodwill
- 27 December: Public holiday for the Day of Goodwill
WHY THE DATES CHANGED
What Changed Since the Proposed Calendars?
The original version of this article was published in October 2024, when the 2026 and 2027 calendars were still proposed and open for comment. The final calendars were published in the Government Gazette on 25 February 2025.
- 2026: Term 3 now ends on 23 September, not 2 October. Term 4 begins on 6 October, not 13 October.
- 2027: Term 3 now ends on 22 September, not 1 October. Term 4 begins on 5 October, not 11 October.
- 2027 school days: The final calendar contains 197 school days for children, not 199.
This article has been updated so families are no longer relying on the earlier proposed dates.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT CALENDAR
Does This Calendar Apply to Your Child’s School?
PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
Use the National Calendar
The official 2026 and 2027 public-school calendars apply nationally across South Africa.
PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Confirm With Your School
Independent schools may follow ISASA / SAHISA dates or use their own calendar. Always check the dates supplied by your child’s school.
PRACTICAL PLANNING
How to Use the Calendar for Family Planning
- Confirm the correct calendar. Check whether your child’s school follows the national public-school calendar or an independent-school calendar.
- Mark every closing and reopening date. Include school-specific administration, mid-term and half-term dates where applicable.
- Plan care before each break. Holiday-care availability and programme dates can differ by Club Engage location.
- Check family leave and travel early. Longer winter and year-end breaks often need the most preparation.
- Watch for school communication. Use the official calendar for planning, but follow any final instructions from your child’s school.
WHEN SCHOOL CLOSES
Plan Holiday Care Before the Break
Club Engage holiday care gives children safe, active and engaging days while parents keep work and family plans moving. Availability, dates and booking options can differ by location.
QUICK ANSWERS
School Calendar FAQs
Are the 2027 dates final?
Yes. The final 2027 calendar for public schools was published in the Government Gazette on 25 February 2025.
Is the public-school calendar national?
Yes. Public and government schools across South Africa follow the national calendar shown above.
Do independent schools use these dates?
Not necessarily. Independent schools may follow ISASA / SAHISA dates or their own calendar. Confirm directly with the school.
Why were the old dates different?
The previous article used proposed calendars. Several dates changed before the final calendars were officially published.
Where can I download the 2026 calendars?
Use Club Engage’s complete 2026 calendar page for public-school and ISASA / SAHISA Central Region downloads.
Will there be a complete 2027 page?
Yes. Club Engage will publish a dedicated 2027 calendar resource. Until then, this article contains the verified public-school dates.
SOURCES AND REVIEW DATE
Sources: Department of Basic Education, official 2026 and 2027 calendars for public schools. Last reviewed: 27 August 2026.
Always confirm school-specific dates and changes directly with your child’s school.
