2025 school calendar: When do term 1 holidays start?
Learners will begin their first holiday break on 28 March, marking the end of Term 1 in a school year spanning 200 days.
The 2025 school year is well underway, with learners set to begin their first holiday break on 28 March. Schools across South Africa opened on 15 January, marking the start of the 200-day school year.
This year’s calendar includes an additional week-long break from 28 April to 2 May, aligning with Freedom Day (27 April) and Workers’ Day (1 May). The Department of Basic Education has structured the school year into four terms, ensuring a balance between learning time and rest periods.
Dates for the 2025 school year and holidays
Learners will enjoy their first break when Term 1 concludes at the end of March. Term 2 will resume on 8 April, running until 27 June. After the winter holidays, Term 3 begins on 22 July and ends on 3 October. The final stretch of the school year, Term 4, will start on 13 October, wrapping up on 10 December.
In total, the school calendar includes 27 school holidays and six public holidays, giving learners and teachers several opportunities to recharge. The mid-year break and additional holiday in April provide welcome relief in a year packed with academic commitments.
Bullying Cases Raise Concerns in First Term
While students look forward to the upcoming school holidays, the Department of Basic Education has flagged a worrying trend: over 500 bullying incidents have been reported since the school year began. Limpopo recorded the highest number of cases, with 305 incidents, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (29 cases), Gauteng (23 cases), and the Free State with the lowest figures.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed these numbers in response to a parliamentary question, expressing concern over the rise in reported cases.
“The department is making sure that the school’s SGBs are strengthening their anti-bullying policies and codes of conduct,” she told eNCA.
As the first term holidays approach, the debate around student safety continues. Are schools doing enough to curb bullying, or is more intervention needed to protect learners?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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