2025 School Term Changes Announced – South Africa’s Department of Basic Education has officially released the revised 2025 school calendar, and it includes several important changes that will affect learners, educators, and parents nationwide. The new term structure and holiday breaks have been introduced to accommodate national events, improve academic pacing, and reduce pressure during the exam seasons. The initial school calendar released earlier this year has been updated to reflect public feedback and logistical considerations such as local elections and cultural observances. The revised schedule now aligns better with regional needs across all nine provinces, ensuring that school communities can plan more effectively. Among the key changes are adjusted term start and end dates, mid-term breaks, and realigned public holidays. For coastal and inland provinces, certain term lengths have been balanced to create a fairer academic workload distribution. The Department has also introduced a brief autumn holiday and extended some winter and spring breaks to support learner well-being and recovery. Parents are advised to update their calendars as the new dates will impact travel plans, school transportation schedules, and term assessments. Schools will be issuing official circulars to parents and guardians in the coming days. Below, you will find the complete term schedule and new holiday dates by province, along with departmental contact details and frequently asked questions.
Revised 2025 School Term Dates – National Overview
The new term dates apply to both public primary and secondary schools across South Africa. The term length and holiday periods have been adjusted to maintain the required academic days while offering more balanced break periods.
- The school year remains at four terms
- All provinces follow the same start and end dates, with slight regional adjustments
- Key public holidays have been integrated into term planning
Updated 2025 School Term Calendar (All Provinces)
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Total Weeks | Holidays Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 15 Jan 2025 | 28 Mar 2025 | 11 Weeks | Human Rights Day (21 Mar) |
| Term 2 | 8 Apr 2025 | 20 Jun 2025 | 11 Weeks | Freedom Day (27 Apr), Workers Day (1 May) |
| Term 3 | 15 Jul 2025 | 19 Sep 2025 | 10 Weeks | Women’s Day (9 Aug) |
| Term 4 | 7 Oct 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 | 9 Weeks | No public holidays during term |
Key Holiday Breaks and Mid-Term Adjustments
The Department has added shorter, well-timed breaks between terms and extended others to support student rest and recovery. These breaks are consistent across all provinces.
- Winter holiday extended by one week
- Mid-year break includes Youth Day
- Autumn holiday added in late March
School Holidays and Mid-Term Breaks
| Holiday Break | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Break | 29 Mar 2025 | 7 Apr 2025 | New addition for 2025 |
| Winter Holidays | 21 Jun 2025 | 14 Jul 2025 | One week longer than 2024 |
| Spring Break | 20 Sep 2025 | 6 Oct 2025 | Extended for better academic balance |
| December Holidays | 6 Dec 2025 | 13 Jan 2026 | Standard festive season break |
| Mid-Term Break | 16 May 2025 | 20 May 2025 | Short in-term rest for students and staff |
Provincial-Specific Adjustments and Notes
Although the general structure is national, some provinces have minor adjustments based on climate, local needs, and logistical planning.
- Inland schools tend to begin slightly earlier in January
- Coastal regions receive slightly longer spring breaks
- Public events and elections cause staggered closures in some areas
Inland vs Coastal Province Adjustments
| Province | Term 1 Start | Term 4 End | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 15 Jan 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 | No major deviations |
| Free State | 15 Jan 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 | Aligned with national schedule |
| Limpopo | 15 Jan 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 | Early start to accommodate agriculture season |
| Mpumalanga | 15 Jan 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 | Mid-term exams adjusted to new calendar |
| North West | 15 Jan 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 | Matches inland term plans |
| Western Cape | 16 Jan 2025 | 6 Dec 2025 | Spring break extended by one day |
| Eastern Cape | 16 Jan 2025 | 6 Dec 2025 | Weather patterns considered for spring term |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 16 Jan 2025 | 6 Dec 2025 | Cultural holidays included |
| Northern Cape | 15 Jan 2025 | 5 Dec 2025 | Slightly shorter third term due to heatwaves |
School Exam Periods and Curriculum Planning
The revised calendar ensures that curriculum coverage and exam periods are not disrupted. Internal and external assessments have been rescheduled in line with the new term lengths.
- Senior phase exams begin earlier in Term 4
- Foundation phase assessments spaced more evenly
- NSC (Matric) exams remain unchanged
Important Academic Dates for 2025
| Event | Date Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Term Assessments | 17 – 26 Mar 2025 | Covers general progress and feedback |
| Mid-Year Exams | 3 – 14 Jun 2025 | Affects grades 4–12 |
| Trial Exams (Grade 12) | 1 – 12 Sep 2025 | Preparation for NSC |
| Final NSC Exams | 21 Oct – 28 Nov 2025 | National Senior Certificate examinations |
| Year-End Reports | 2 – 5 Dec 2025 | Distribution of final academic results |
Impact on Parents, Transport, and Extra-Curriculars
These calendar changes affect not only schools but also working parents, transport providers, and activity organizers. Planning ahead is essential.
- Transport providers must align with new closure dates
- Parents advised to plan holidays outside term dates
- Sports and cultural events moved to new available weekends
Tips for Parents and Educators
- Update digital and paper calendars immediately
- Communicate with school governing bodies for any school-specific dates
- Register for SMS or email alerts from the school
- Avoid scheduling vacations during exam or term assessment periods
- Coordinate with after-school programmes for changes in availability
Contact Details – Department of Basic Education
For any queries, school calendar clarifications, or provincial concerns, contact your provincial education department or the national office.
Departmental Contact Information
| Department | Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| National Office | Toll-Free Number | 0800 202 933 |
| Email Inquiries | [email protected] | |
| Website | Online Portal | www.education.gov.za |
| Gauteng Education Dept. | Call Centre | 011 355 0000 |
| Western Cape Education Dept. | [email protected] | |
| KZN Education Dept. | Contact Number | 033 846 5000 |
School Calendar Summary Table (At a Glance)
| Term | Duration | Holiday Periods | Public Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 Jan – 28 Mar | 29 Mar – 7 Apr | 21 Mar |
| 2 | 8 Apr – 20 Jun | 21 Jun – 14 Jul | 27 Apr, 1 May |
| 3 | 15 Jul – 19 Sep | 20 Sep – 6 Oct | 9 Aug |
| 4 | 7 Oct – 5 Dec | 6 Dec – 13 Jan 2026 | None |
FAQs
1. Why were the 2025 school term dates changed?
The changes accommodate national events and aim to provide a more balanced academic year.
2. Will private schools follow the same calendar?
Most private schools align closely with public calendars but may have slight differences.
3. Are there any new holidays added in 2025?
Yes, an autumn break has been added, and some holidays were extended.
4. How do I get updates about changes to school terms?
You can sign up for alerts via your child’s school or follow the Department’s official website.
5. Will exams be affected by the new calendar?
No, all major exams, including NSC finals, remain on track within the revised dates.