51-Day Summer Break – In a major development welcomed by students, parents, and educators alike, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has officially confirmed a 51-day long summer holiday for all South African school learners. The break will begin on Thursday, 4 December 2025, and will continue until Monday, 26 January 2026, giving students a much-needed extended time for rest, travel, and family bonding. This announcement, which aligns with the new adjustments in the 2025 academic calendar, was made after a final review of examination schedules, curriculum coverage, and the need to promote learner well-being. The DBE cited that this extended break is aimed at restoring balance after a rigorous year of study and assessments. It also comes with a commitment to maintain the required 199 school days within the academic year, avoiding any negative impact on learning. The decision follows feedback from provincial education departments, school governing bodies, and teacher unions that raised the importance of long summer breaks in combating burnout and promoting mental wellness. It also supports travel and tourism recovery as families plan trips across the festive season. The DBE further emphasized that this move is part of a long-term approach to harmonize school holiday schedules with South Africa’s socio-economic landscape. Let’s take a closer look at the full structure of the holiday dates, the revised school term calendar, and how this change affects learners, educators, and parents.
51-Day Summer Break Schedule for Learners in December 2025
According to the DBE’s final circular, all schools under the public schooling system will follow this new December-January break.
- Start of Holiday: Thursday, 4 December 2025
- End of Holiday: Sunday, 25 January 2026
- Return to School: Monday, 26 January 2026
- Total Days Off: 51 days
Summary of Holiday Duration Per Grade Group
Each schooling phase will benefit equally from the extended break.
| Phase | Grades Covered | Holiday Start | Holiday End | Total Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Phase | R – 3 | 4 Dec 2025 | 25 Jan 2026 | 51 days |
| Intermediate Phase | 4 – 6 | 4 Dec 2025 | 25 Jan 2026 | 51 days |
| Senior Phase | 7 – 9 | 4 Dec 2025 | 25 Jan 2026 | 51 days |
| FET Phase | 10 – 12 | 4 Dec 2025 | 25 Jan 2026 | 51 days |
| Special Schools | All Grades | 4 Dec 2025 | 25 Jan 2026 | 51 days |
| Public Boarding | All Grades | 4 Dec 2025 | 25 Jan 2026 | 51 days |
| Private Schools* | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Updated Term Calendar for 2025
With the inclusion of this long summer break, the overall school calendar has been reshuffled while maintaining the 199 academic days.
2025 School Term Overview (Public Schools)
| Term | Start Date | End Date | School Days | Holiday Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 Jan 2025 | 28 Mar 2025 | 52 | 29 Mar – 6 Apr (10 days) |
| 2 | 7 Apr 2025 | 20 Jun 2025 | 53 | 21 Jun – 13 Jul (23 days) |
| 3 | 14 Jul 2025 | 19 Sep 2025 | 50 | 20 Sep – 5 Oct (16 days) |
| 4 | 6 Oct 2025 | 3 Dec 2025 | 44 | 4 Dec – 25 Jan 2026 (51 days) |
| Total | – | – | 199 | – |
How Parents and Students Can Make the Most of the 51-Day Summer Break
This extended holiday opens up many possibilities for families. The DBE encourages parents to actively plan meaningful activities.
- Enroll kids in summer learning camps to maintain academic rhythm.
- Explore family travel opportunities within South Africa to support local tourism.
- Schedule health check-ups and vaccinations during this break.
- Introduce soft skills development – cooking, finance, time management.
- Allocate time for revision for grades preparing for critical exams in 2026.
Tips to Maintain Learning During the Break
While it’s a break from formal learning, students can stay engaged through fun methods.
- Use mobile apps for mathematics and reading games.
- Watch documentaries and educational series together as a family.
- Start a holiday reading challenge with rewards.
- Encourage creative writing or journaling of holiday experiences.
Impact on Educators and School Administration
Teachers and school staff will also benefit from the extended leave. However, certain responsibilities remain scheduled.
Adjustments for Teaching Staff
- Educators are required to return by 23 January 2026 for planning and preparation.
- Performance review sessions and administrative catch-up will be held between 20–23 January.
- Schools will receive new timetables and resource packs before the term starts.
| Category | Reporting Date | Task Description |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers | 23 Jan 2026 | Staff planning, curriculum prep |
| Admin Staff | 20 Jan 2026 | School readiness checks |
| Principal & SMT | 20 Jan 2026 | Annual operation and compliance |
| Support Staff | 21 Jan 2026 | Classroom & facility arrangements |
DBE’s Official Statement and Justification
The Department of Basic Education stated that the 51-day holiday aligns with learner wellness priorities and ensures curriculum outcomes are not compromised.
Key Highlights from DBE’s Circular
- Longer breaks help reduce academic fatigue and improve learner focus.
- A uniform break across provinces ensures equity in academic planning.
- Tourism, health, and safety sectors benefit from predictable school-free periods.
- Internal audits show enough teaching time is preserved across all phases.
Travel, Childcare & Transport Implications for Families
Parents are encouraged to prepare early for the break, especially for travel or childminding arrangements.
How to Plan Ahead
- Book long-distance transport (trains, buses) early to avoid festive rush.
- Consider part-time caregivers or supervised holiday programs for younger children.
- Use local municipal youth centers offering structured programs.
Key Considerations for Working Parents
- Coordinate holiday leave with your employer based on the new school calendar.
- Combine time-off with grandparents or extended family support.
- Avoid last-minute bookings which can be costly and stressful.
Departmental Contact Details for Calendar Queries
For any questions regarding the 2025 school calendar, parents and teachers can directly reach out to the DBE or relevant provincial departments.
| Department | Contact Number | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DBE National Office | 012 357 3000 | [email protected] | Calendar & holiday clarification |
| Gauteng Education | 011 355 0000 | [email protected] | For local school calendar issues |
| Western Cape Education | 021 467 2000 | [email protected] | Province-specific queries |
| KZN Education | 033 846 5000 | [email protected] | Confirm boarding school plans |
| Limpopo Education | 015 290 7600 | [email protected] | School and term planning |
| EC Education | 040 608 4000 | [email protected] | Private school differences |
| Free State Education | 051 404 8000 | [email protected] | For SGB assistance & queries |
South African families can now look forward to a relaxing and fulfilling summer ahead. The Department of Basic Education has ensured that this extended break offers not only rest but balance, allowing students to return refreshed and motivated for the 2026 academic year. Parents are urged to stay informed and begin planning early to maximize this opportunity.
FAQs of 51-Day Summer Break
Q1: Will all schools follow this 51-day break?
A1: All public schools will follow the same holiday schedule. Private schools may vary slightly.
Q2: When will teachers return to work before Term 1 starts?
A2: Teachers will report back on 23 January 2026 for school readiness tasks.
Q3: Can the holiday period be extended further?
A3: No, the dates are fixed as per the approved DBE calendar for 2025.
Q4: What happens if a school closes early or late due to exams?
A4: Any deviation must be pre-approved by the provincial education department.
Q5: How will this affect Grade 12 learners preparing for 2026 Matric?
A5: The calendar still allows full curriculum coverage, and Matric learners will start revision from Term 1 without losing learning time.