When does the 2027 school year start in South Africa?

Public schools open for Term 1 on 13 Jan 2027.

When do schools close for 2027?

The 2027 school year ends when Term 4 closes on 10 Dec 2027.

When are the 2027 school holidays?

The 2027 public-school holidays are: Autumn holidays (20 Mar 2027 – 5 Apr 2027); Winter holidays (26 Jun 2027 – 19 Jul 2027); Spring holidays (23 Sep 2027 – 4 Oct 2027).

Are school term dates the same across all provinces?

Yes. Since 2024 South Africa uses a single, unified national school calendar, so all nine provinces (including Gauteng and the Western Cape) share the same public-school term dates.

School calendar

2027 South African School Calendar

Term dates and school holidays for South African public schools in 2027. Since 2024 all nine provinces share one unified national calendar, so these dates apply countrywide.

2026 2027

18 days until Term 3 2026

Term 3 starts on 21 Jul 2026. Restock stationery and essentials before the holidays end.

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School terms 2027

Term 1

Upcoming

13 Jan 2027 → 19 Mar 2027

10 weeks

🛒 Get their back-to-school stationery before Term 1 starts on 13 Jan 2027.

Term 2

Upcoming

6 Apr 2027 → 25 Jun 2027

12 weeks

🛒 Restock for Term 2 before it starts on 6 Apr 2027.

Term 3

Upcoming

20 Jul 2027 → 22 Sep 2027

10 weeks

🛒 Restock for Term 3 before it starts on 20 Jul 2027.

Term 4

Upcoming

5 Oct 2027 → 10 Dec 2027

10 weeks

🛒 Restock for Term 4 before it starts on 5 Oct 2027.

School holidays 2027

Autumn holidays
20 Mar 2027 – 5 Apr 2027
17 days
Winter holidays
26 Jun 2027 – 19 Jul 2027
24 days
Spring holidays
23 Sep 2027 – 4 Oct 2027
12 days
Summer holidays
From 11 Dec 2027

Holiday periods are the breaks between terms and may differ slightly from a school's own closure days. Always confirm with your school.

When to shop for school

The busiest rush is right before Term 1. Get ahead of it — order stationery, textbooks covers and back-to-school essentials in the summer holidays so everything arrives before the first day back.

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Frequently asked questions

When does the 2027 school year start in South Africa?: Public schools open for Term 1 on 13 Jan 2027.
When do schools close for 2027?: The 2027 school year ends when Term 4 closes on 10 Dec 2027.
When are the 2027 school holidays?: The 2027 public-school holidays are: Autumn holidays (20 Mar 2027 – 5 Apr 2027); Winter holidays (26 Jun 2027 – 19 Jul 2027); Spring holidays (23 Sep 2027 – 4 Oct 2027).
Are school term dates the same across all provinces?: Yes. Since 2024 South Africa uses a single, unified national school calendar, so all nine provinces (including Gauteng and the Western Cape) share the same public-school term dates.