Back to school: This is when the winter holiday ends
Learners and teachers in the city and across South Africa will return to school next week as Term 3 begins. Here’s how long it runs and when the next school holiday takes place.
POLOKWANE – Learners and teachers across the country are preparing to return to the classroom as the June/July school holiday officially comes to an end on Monday, July 22.
After a much needed three week break, Term 3 will officially start next week and will run for 11 weeks and conclude on October 3, according to the 2025 Department of Basic Education school calendar.
The third term is usually deemed a busy one as teachers soldier through the curriculum ahead of final exams in the fourth term, with other activities like sports days and concerts known to be part of the calendar.
The next school holiday period begins on October 6 and will last a full week, with learners returning to school on October 13. This marks the start of Term 4, the final term of the year.
Term 4 will run for nine weeks, ending on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, for public schools that follow the inland and coastal calendar.
It will include the final examination period for Grade 12 learners and year-end assessments for other grades.
Parents and guardians are reminded to check school-specific communication as independent and private schools may follow slightly different schedules.
