Countdown to the holidays: SA schools close next week

South African learners are just days away from their September-October school holidays, which begins on Wednesday 23 September, marking the end of the third term.

SA LEARNERS START SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WITH A LONG WEEKEND

Public schools in South Africa officially close on Wednesday 23 September, just in time for the long weekend. Thursday 24 September marks Heritage Day in South Africa so it is a public holiday. The learners will already be on holiday on Friday 25 September, which is a working day for adults. So, the learners automatically get a long weekend to kick off their school holidays.

So, how long will the kids be on holiday?

Learners will be off for just under two weeks as the fourth and final term of the academic year is set to begin on Tuesday 6 October 2026. The fourth term will run through to 9 December. The duration of this term is 10 weeks and 47 school days, with no public holidays scheduled during that stretch.

For matric learners specifically, this break carries extra weight. Selected practical assessments including Visual Arts and Design and Performing Arts are already underway or wrapping up around this time. The main National Senior Certificate written exams officially begin on 13 October, just a week after the fourth term begins. This means the September break effectively doubles as final revision time before matric finals begin in earnest.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SA MAY BE DIFFERENT

While government schools follow the Department of Basic Education’s official calendar, independent and private schools don’t always follow the exact same timeline. Parents with children at ISASA-affiliated or other private schools would need to confirm their specific closing and reopening dates directly with their school.

Once schools reopen on 6 October, learners would need to immediately shift their minds from the holidays into preparing for final exams mode.