The 2026 public school calendar has been formally confirmed, setting out when learners will attend school and when schools will close for each term during the year. The calendar affects learners, parents, teachers, and school administrators nationwide, including Gauteng, where school schedules play a critical role in transport, childcare, and work planning. This matters now as Term 1 approaches its final weeks, with schools scheduled to close at the end of March.
According to the Department of Basic Education, Term 1 for public schools will end on Friday, 27 March 2026, following a nationally standardised calendar that now applies to all provinces.
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2026 school calendar formally gazetted
The 2026 school calendar has been formally gazetted by the national government, giving it legal and administrative authority across all provinces.
The gazette confirms the official term dates, public holidays, and total number of school days for public schools in 2026. It also confirms that provincial education departments are required to implement the calendar without deviation.
According to the gazetted calendar, the 2026 academic year consists of 200 school days, spread across four terms. This formal publication means parents and schools can rely on the dates as final.
National alignment ends the coastal and inland split
One of the most significant changes confirmed in the gazetted calendar is the full alignment of school opening and closing dates across South Africa.
In previous years, coastal provinces followed a different academic schedule from inland provinces, often starting and ending terms a week later. That system has now been discontinued.
The Department of Basic Education said the aligned calendar simplifies planning for families, schools, and employers, while ensuring consistency in curriculum coverage and assessment scheduling across provinces.
Teachers and school administrators will return to schools on Monday, 12 January 2026, two days before learners, to prepare for the start of the academic year.
When Term 1 closes in 2026
Term 1 officially runs from Wednesday, 14 January to Friday, 27 March 2026.
This gives learners a full first term of instruction before schools close for the autumn break. The Term 1 break begins immediately after 27 March, with Term 2 scheduled to start in early April.
For many families, Term 1 is a key adjustment period, particularly for learners starting Grade R, Grade 1, or transitioning into high school.
Confirmed 2026 public school term dates
The gazetted calendar confirms the following term structure for all public schools in 2026:
- Term 1: 14 January to 27 March
- Term 2: 8 April to 26 June
- Term 3: 21 July to 23 September
- Term 4: 6 October to 9 December
The Department of Basic Education has confirmed that these dates apply nationally and may not be altered by provinces.
School holidays and special breaks in 2026
The 2026 calendar includes 28 school holidays and five public holidays that fall within the school year.
In addition, the gazette confirms a special school holiday on 15 June 2026, creating an extended mid-year break for learners and educators. The department said the placement of the special holiday was intended to support learner wellbeing and reduce fatigue during the longest academic stretch of the year.
Independent schools and calendar flexibility
While the gazetted calendar applies to all public schools, independent schools are not legally required to follow the same term dates.
Independent schools may set their own calendars, provided they meet minimum curriculum and contact time requirements. Parents of learners attending independent schools are advised to confirm term dates directly with the school administrations.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
For Gauteng residents, the confirmed and gazetted Term 1 closing date provides certainty for family planning, childcare arrangements, and work schedules.
As South Africa’s most populous province, Gauteng experiences significant pressure on school transport, aftercare services, and holiday travel during school breaks. The nationally aligned calendar reduces confusion for families with children in different provinces and allows employers to plan leave cycles with greater certainty.
The Department of Basic Education has emphasised that the gazetted dates are final and apply uniformly across all public schools in Gauteng.
Department implementation and oversight
The Department of Basic Education said the calendar was developed in consultation with provincial education departments and education stakeholders.
According to the department, schools are expected to implement the calendar strictly as gazetted, with provincial departments responsible for monitoring compliance throughout the academic year.
FAQs
When do schools close for Term 1 in 2026
Public schools close on Friday, 27 March 2026.
When do learners return to school in January 2026
Learners return on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.
Does the same calendar apply in all provinces
Yes. The 2026 public school calendar applies nationally.
Do teachers return before learners
Yes. Teachers and school administrators return on 12 January 2026.
Does the gazetted calendar apply to private schools
No. Independent schools may follow different calendars.
What happens next
Public schools are expected to continue implementing the 2026 calendar as gazetted, with no changes to term dates anticipated. Any future amendments to school calendars will require formal publication by the Department of Basic Education.
For now, families, schools, and employers can plan around the confirmed Term 1 closing date, knowing the calendar has been formally gazetted and applies across Gauteng and the rest of the country.
