Mpumalanga School Terms And Calendar 2025/2026
Official Mpumalanga school terms for the academic year 2025/2026. All term dates, school holidays, and important academic dates. Perfect for planning family activities, school events, and educational trips around the official academic calendar.
January 2025(1 period)
School Term 1
The school year in South Africa begins on 15 January 2025, with learners across the country returning to the classroom after the December break. This term spans over ten weeks, ending on 28 March. The focus during this early period is on settling into the new academic year, establishing routines, and building foundational knowledge in each subject. Teachers conduct diagnostic assessments to understand learners' progress and identify learning gaps. School communities may also hold orientation events, sports trials, and extracurricular sign-ups during the first weeks. The main public holiday during this term is Human Rights Day on 21 March, which provides a valuable opportunity for civic education. While New Year’s Day (1 January) is not within the term dates, it still plays a role in resetting the academic calendar. Following the close of the term, the autumn holiday runs from 29 March to 7 April, offering a brief but well-earned break for students and staff alike.
School Term 1
The school year in South Africa begins on 15 January 2025, with learners across the country returning to the classroom after the December break. This term spans over ten weeks, ending on 28 March. The focus during this early period is on settling into the new academic year, establishing routines, and building foundational knowledge in each subject. Teachers conduct diagnostic assessments to understand learners' progress and identify learning gaps. School communities may also hold orientation events, sports trials, and extracurricular sign-ups during the first weeks. The main public holiday during this term is Human Rights Day on 21 March, which provides a valuable opportunity for civic education. While New Year’s Day (1 January) is not within the term dates, it still plays a role in resetting the academic calendar. Following the close of the term, the autumn holiday runs from 29 March to 7 April, offering a brief but well-earned break for students and staff alike.
April 2025(1 period)
School Term 2
The second academic term begins on 8 April 2025 and stretches to 27 June, covering nearly three months of teaching and learning. This is often the most academically intensive period of the year, with the curriculum picking up pace. During this term, a range of public holidays creates intermittent breaks in the schedule, including Good Friday (18 April), Family Day (21 April), Freedom Day (27 April), Workers’ Day (1 May), and Youth Day (16 June). These holidays provide moments for reflection on national history and social values. A special school holiday from 29 April to 2 May allows for an extended break connected to the late-April holidays, helping families travel or rest without missing class time. Term 2 also includes mid-year assessments or exams in many grades, especially in the senior phases. Learners often feel the academic pressure increase during this stretch. Schools close for the winter holiday starting 18 June, though official closure is set for 27 June. The school break extends to 8 July, giving everyone a three-week pause before returning for the second half of the year.
School Term 2
The second academic term begins on 8 April 2025 and stretches to 27 June, covering nearly three months of teaching and learning. This is often the most academically intensive period of the year, with the curriculum picking up pace. During this term, a range of public holidays creates intermittent breaks in the schedule, including Good Friday (18 April), Family Day (21 April), Freedom Day (27 April), Workers’ Day (1 May), and Youth Day (16 June). These holidays provide moments for reflection on national history and social values. A special school holiday from 29 April to 2 May allows for an extended break connected to the late-April holidays, helping families travel or rest without missing class time. Term 2 also includes mid-year assessments or exams in many grades, especially in the senior phases. Learners often feel the academic pressure increase during this stretch. Schools close for the winter holiday starting 18 June, though official closure is set for 27 June. The school break extends to 8 July, giving everyone a three-week pause before returning for the second half of the year.
July 2025(1 period)
School Term 3
After the winter holiday, the third term begins on 22 July and concludes on 3 October. This term is typically shorter than the others, yet it's packed with important academic content and school activities. It's a vital time for learners to consolidate knowledge before the final stretch of the year. Teachers may use this period for revision, targeted support, and extra lessons to ensure that learners are prepared for end-of-year evaluations. Two public holidays fall during this term: National Women’s Day on 9 August, which celebrates the strength and achievements of South African women, and Heritage Day on 24 September, which highlights the country’s rich cultural diversity. These days often inspire school events or classroom activities that explore identity and community. After classes wrap up on 3 October, learners have a brief spring break from 6 to 10 October. Although short, this break offers an important breather before the academic demands of Term 4.
School Term 3
After the winter holiday, the third term begins on 22 July and concludes on 3 October. This term is typically shorter than the others, yet it's packed with important academic content and school activities. It's a vital time for learners to consolidate knowledge before the final stretch of the year. Teachers may use this period for revision, targeted support, and extra lessons to ensure that learners are prepared for end-of-year evaluations. Two public holidays fall during this term: National Women’s Day on 9 August, which celebrates the strength and achievements of South African women, and Heritage Day on 24 September, which highlights the country’s rich cultural diversity. These days often inspire school events or classroom activities that explore identity and community. After classes wrap up on 3 October, learners have a brief spring break from 6 to 10 October. Although short, this break offers an important breather before the academic demands of Term 4.
October 2025(1 period)
School Term 4
The final term of the school year runs from 13 October to 10 December, making it the shortest instructional term. Despite its length, Term 4 carries significant weight, particularly for learners in Grades 7, 9, and 12, who face final assessments and national exams. During this term, schools focus heavily on exam preparation, project submissions, and curriculum completion. Teachers work to review key content and provide feedback that supports learners' progression. This is also a time when end-of-year events take place, such as awards ceremonies, concerts, and graduation functions. Though school officially ends for learners on 10 December, administrative days on 11 and 12 December are reserved for staff to complete records and final reports. The year closes amid the festive season, with Day of Reconciliation (16 December), Christmas Day (25 December), and Day of Goodwill (26 December) observed as national holidays. These celebrations mark the end of the academic year and the start of a well-deserved summer break for school communities across the country.
School Term 4
The final term of the school year runs from 13 October to 10 December, making it the shortest instructional term. Despite its length, Term 4 carries significant weight, particularly for learners in Grades 7, 9, and 12, who face final assessments and national exams. During this term, schools focus heavily on exam preparation, project submissions, and curriculum completion. Teachers work to review key content and provide feedback that supports learners' progression. This is also a time when end-of-year events take place, such as awards ceremonies, concerts, and graduation functions. Though school officially ends for learners on 10 December, administrative days on 11 and 12 December are reserved for staff to complete records and final reports. The year closes amid the festive season, with Day of Reconciliation (16 December), Christmas Day (25 December), and Day of Goodwill (26 December) observed as national holidays. These celebrations mark the end of the academic year and the start of a well-deserved summer break for school communities across the country.
January 2026(1 period)
School Term 1
Schools open on 14 January 2026 and close on 27 March 2026, lasting 11 weeks. This term includes no public holidays, resulting in 53 to 55 official school days, depending on provincial calendars. The term begins after the year-end break and marks the start of the academic programme for all grades. Activities include the issuing of timetables, return of teaching staff, re-enrolment procedures, and the implementation of the annual teaching plans (ATPs). Educators conduct baseline assessments and diagnostic evaluations during the first weeks to determine learner placement and progression readiness. Administrative and curriculum planning meetings are held at the school level, and subject teaching resumes in full. Term 1 does not overlap with any national holidays, allowing for uninterrupted classroom time. The autumn school holiday begins on 28 March 2026 and ends prior to the reopening of Term 2.
School Term 1
Schools open on 14 January 2026 and close on 27 March 2026, lasting 11 weeks. This term includes no public holidays, resulting in 53 to 55 official school days, depending on provincial calendars. The term begins after the year-end break and marks the start of the academic programme for all grades. Activities include the issuing of timetables, return of teaching staff, re-enrolment procedures, and the implementation of the annual teaching plans (ATPs). Educators conduct baseline assessments and diagnostic evaluations during the first weeks to determine learner placement and progression readiness. Administrative and curriculum planning meetings are held at the school level, and subject teaching resumes in full. Term 1 does not overlap with any national holidays, allowing for uninterrupted classroom time. The autumn school holiday begins on 28 March 2026 and ends prior to the reopening of Term 2.
April 2026(1 period)
School Term 2
This term starts on 8 April 2026 and ends on 26 June 2026, spanning 12 weeks. It includes 58 official calendar days, but due to public holidays, the number of actual school days is 54. The following dates affect classroom time. Good Friday: 3 April (falls just before term start but may affect scheduling), Family Day: 6 April, Freedom Day: 27 April, Workers’ Day: 1 May, Special school holiday: 15 June, Youth Day: 16 June. This is the longest instructional term and includes mid-year assessments across several grades, particularly in intermediate and senior phases. Schools administer formal assessments, submit term reports, and complete SBA (School-Based Assessment) tasks during this period. Term 2 also includes policy-aligned commemorative activities related to Freedom Day and Youth Day. Schools close on 26 June, with the winter break beginning on 27 June.
School Term 2
This term starts on 8 April 2026 and ends on 26 June 2026, spanning 12 weeks. It includes 58 official calendar days, but due to public holidays, the number of actual school days is 54. The following dates affect classroom time. Good Friday: 3 April (falls just before term start but may affect scheduling), Family Day: 6 April, Freedom Day: 27 April, Workers’ Day: 1 May, Special school holiday: 15 June, Youth Day: 16 June. This is the longest instructional term and includes mid-year assessments across several grades, particularly in intermediate and senior phases. Schools administer formal assessments, submit term reports, and complete SBA (School-Based Assessment) tasks during this period. Term 2 also includes policy-aligned commemorative activities related to Freedom Day and Youth Day. Schools close on 26 June, with the winter break beginning on 27 June.
July 2026(1 period)
School Term 3
The third term begins on 21 July 2026 and ends on 23 September 2026, running for 10 weeks. There are 47 official school days, with 46 actual teaching days due to one public holiday: National Women’s Day: 9 August (observed on Monday, 10 August). This term continues instructional delivery of the annual teaching plans and includes progression monitoring activities. Curriculum coverage intensifies as schools prepare learners for end-of-year examinations. Teachers submit learner evidence files, update assessment records, and initiate academic interventions for at-risk learners. National and provincial education departments may conduct monitoring visits during this period. Schools also resume extramural programmes and complete term 3 assessments. The spring break begins on 24 September 2026, immediately after school closure.
School Term 3
The third term begins on 21 July 2026 and ends on 23 September 2026, running for 10 weeks. There are 47 official school days, with 46 actual teaching days due to one public holiday: National Women’s Day: 9 August (observed on Monday, 10 August). This term continues instructional delivery of the annual teaching plans and includes progression monitoring activities. Curriculum coverage intensifies as schools prepare learners for end-of-year examinations. Teachers submit learner evidence files, update assessment records, and initiate academic interventions for at-risk learners. National and provincial education departments may conduct monitoring visits during this period. Schools also resume extramural programmes and complete term 3 assessments. The spring break begins on 24 September 2026, immediately after school closure.
October 2026(1 period)
School Term 4
This term starts on 6 October 2026 and concludes on 11 December 2026, spanning 10 weeks. It includes 47 to 49 school days, depending on regional schedules. There are no public holidays during this term. Instructional focus includes completion of the curriculum, revision, and formal assessments. Grade 12 learners participate in National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, while other grades complete their final SBA components and written exams. Schools conduct promotion and progression decisions, mark schedules, and prepare year-end reports for distribution. Year-end administrative work includes archiving records, compiling subject results, and preparing for the handover to the following school year. Schools officially close for the December holiday on 11 December, with the academic year concluding for learners and staff.
School Term 4
This term starts on 6 October 2026 and concludes on 11 December 2026, spanning 10 weeks. It includes 47 to 49 school days, depending on regional schedules. There are no public holidays during this term. Instructional focus includes completion of the curriculum, revision, and formal assessments. Grade 12 learners participate in National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, while other grades complete their final SBA components and written exams. Schools conduct promotion and progression decisions, mark schedules, and prepare year-end reports for distribution. Year-end administrative work includes archiving records, compiling subject results, and preparing for the handover to the following school year. Schools officially close for the December holiday on 11 December, with the academic year concluding for learners and staff.
About Mpumalanga School Terms
Academic Year Structure
South African schools follow a 4-term academic year with breaks between each term. Each term is approximately 10-11 weeks long, providing a balanced education calendar.
Important Notes
While term dates are standardized across South Africa, individual schools may have slight variations. Always confirm specific dates with your school's academic calendar.