Back to school after week-long break: What to expect as second term rolls on

As students return to school after a week-long break, seven weeks still remain in the term.

According to the Department of Basic Education school calendar, term 2 is set to end on Friday, 27 June 2025.

One more long weekend

There is one long weekend remaining in the term, with Youth Day falling on Monday, 16 June. Students will be at school on Friday, 13 June, and will return after the long weekend on Tuesday, 17 June.

Meanwhile, matriculants will begin their May-June National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations on Monday, 12 May, with the exams concluding on Wednesday, 25 June 2025.

Students will have a three-week break before the third term begins on 22 July 2025.

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School calendar dates for public schools

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the key dates on the 2025 school calendar to help parents stay ahead of the game.

Term 1:

• Schools start: 15 January 2025;
• Schools close: 28 March 2025;
• Public holidays: New Year’s Day (1 January 2025), Human Rights Day (21 March 2025); and
• School holidays: 29 March to 7 April 2025.

Second term:

• Schools start: 8 April 2025;
• Schools close: 27 June 2025;
• Public holidays: Good Friday (18 April 2025), Family Day (21 April 2025), Freedom Day (27 April 2025), Workers’ Day (1 May 2025), Youth Day (16 June 2025);
• Special school holidays: 29 April to 2 May 2025; and
• School holidays: 18 June to 8 July 2025.

Third term:

• School start: 22 July 2025;
• School closes: 3 October 2025;
• Public holidays: National Women’s Day (9 August 2025), Heritage Day (24 September 2025); and
• School holidays: 6 to 10 October 2025.

Fourth term:

• School start: 13 October 2025;
• School closes: 10 December 2025;
• Administration days: 11 to 12 December 2025; and
• Public holidays: Day of Reconciliation (16 December 2025), Christmas Day (25 December 2025), Day of Goodwill (26 December 2025).

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