Despite the mid-month break, the second term is in full swing and is set to continue till Friday, June 26, 2026.
Pupils across South Africa will get an unexpected mid-term reprieve next week, with a special school holiday confirmed on Monday, 15 June 2026, immediately followed by Youth Day on Tuesday, 16 June 2026.
This means that students will return to classes only on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, when the two-day holiday will interrupt the busy second term.
Second term continues till final stage
Despite the mid-month break, the second session is in full swing as per the Department of Basic Education (DBE) school calendar and is scheduled to continue till Friday, June 26, 2026.
Winter break lasts approximately 3 weeks, until students return for Term 3 on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.
Term 3 will run until Wednesday, 23 September 2026, when schools will close again for the September holidays.
The third session will also include a short break for National Women's Day, with public holidays observed on 9 and 10 August 2026, falling within the school term period before the final term towards the end of the session.
Matric NSC exam will end on June 23
For matriculation students, the National Senior Certificate (NSC) June examinations are also about to be completed, with final papers taking place on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
The examination timetable shows that learners will sit Music Paper 2 (Comprehension) in the first session, followed by Agricultural Science Paper 2 in the second session.
The NSC June examination is part of the comprehensive assessment program for matriculation candidates, the final session marks the end of this examination cycle.
2026 school calendar
is here 2026 school calendar To help parents stay ahead.
first term:
- School Start: 14 January 2026
- School closed: 27 March 2026
- School Holidays: 28 March to 7 April 2026
Second period:
- School Start: 8th April 2026
- School closed: 26 June 2026
- Public Holidays: Independence Day (27 April 2026), Labor Day (1 May 2026), Youth Day (16 June 2026)
- Special School Holidays: 15 June 2026
- School Holidays: 27 June to 20 July 2026
Third period:
- School Start: 21 July 2026
- School closed: 23 September 2026
- Public Holiday: National Women's Day (9 and 10 August 2026)
- School Holidays: 24 September to 5 October 2026
Fourth verse:
- School Start: 6 October 2026
- School closed: 9 December 2026
- Public Holidays: Day of Reconciliation (16 December 2026), Christmas Day (25 December 2026), Day of Goodwill (26 December 2026)