When parents, teachers, and learners plan their year, one of the first things they search for is the 2025 School Holidays calendar. In South Africa, the Department of Basic Education sets the official school terms and holidays for public schools. Knowing these dates helps families organise travel, childcare, and study schedules well in advance. It also helps businesses such as tutoring centres, holiday clubs, and travel agencies prepare for peak times when schools are closed.
The 2025 school calendar includes all four terms, breaks in between, and the national public holidays when schools are closed. Below, you will find the full breakdown of school terms, holiday periods, and public holidays that will affect schooling in 2025.
2025 South African School Terms
- Term 1: 15 January – 28 March
- Term 2: 8 April – 27 June
- Term 3: 22 July – 3 October
- Term 4: 13 October – 12 December
These are the official dates for public schools across South Africa. Independent schools may adjust slightly, but most follow the same structure.
2025 School Holidays
- Term 1 Break (Autumn holidays): 29 March – 7 April
- Special Mid-Term Break: 29–30 April & 2 May
- Term 2 Break (Winter holidays): 28 June – 21 July
- Term 3 Break (Spring holidays): 4 October – 12 October
- End-of-Year Break (Summer holidays): 13 December 2025 – mid-January 2026
These holiday periods are important for travel planning. The long winter and summer breaks are the busiest, while the April and October breaks give families shorter opportunities to rest.
2025 Public Holidays When Schools Are Closed
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 21 March – Human Rights Day
- 18 April – Good Friday
- 21 April – Family Day
- 27 April – Freedom Day (observed on 28 April)
- 1 May – Workers’ Day
- 16 June – Youth Day
- 9 August – National Women’s Day
- 24 September – Heritage Day
- 16 December – Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Day of Goodwill
These public holidays fall within the school calendar and are recognised as official days off.
Why the 2025 School Holidays Matter
Parents use the 2025 School Holidays calendar to arrange family trips and childcare, while learners see these dates as key milestones in their academic year. Teachers also plan assessments, sports, and extracurricular activities around these breaks. With load shedding, exam schedules, and term projects to balance, having the school calendar on hand is essential for smooth planning.