The approach to the opening of schools in South Africa will remain staggered with coastal and inland schools beginning their respective school years on different dates.
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has published the 2023 school calendar for public schools in South Africa. The minister explained the calendar was officially published after consultations with the council of Education Ministers.
Schools in inland provinces will open on 9 January 2023 with learners returning to the classroom on 11 January 2023.
Schools in coastal provinces will open a week later on 16 January 2023 with learners going back on 18 January 2023.
The school year will then end on 13 December for both inland and coastal schools.
2023 School Term Dates For Inland Schools. (Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West)
|
Duration |
No. of week |
No. of days |
No. of public holidays |
Actual no. of school days |
|
(9) 11 January - 24 March |
11 |
53(55) |
1+1 |
51(53) |
|
12 April - 23 June |
11 |
53 |
3+1 |
49 |
|
18 July - 29 September |
11 |
54 |
2 |
52 |
|
10 October - 13 December (15) December |
10 |
47(49) |
0 |
47(49) |
|
Total |
43 |
207(211) |
6+2 |
199(203) |
*Dates In Brackets Are Days For Administration
2023 School Term Dates For Coastal Schools. (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Western Cape)
|
Duration |
No. of week |
No. of days |
No. of public holidays |
Actual no. of school days |
|
(16) 18 January - 31 March |
11 |
53(55) |
1+1 |
51(53) |
|
12 April - 23 June |
11 |
53 |
3+1 |
49 |
|
18 July - 29 September |
11 |
54 |
2 |
52 |
|
10 October - 13 December (15) December |
10 |
47(49) |
0 |
47(49) |
|
Total |
43 |
207(211) |
6+2 |
199(203) |
*Dates In Brackets Are Days For Administration
Public and School Holidays 2023
01 January: New Year’s Day
02 January: Public Holiday
20 March: Special School Holiday
21 March: Human Rights Day
7 April: Good Friday
10 April: Family Day
27 April: Freedom Day
28 April: Special School Holiday
01 May: Workers’ Day
16 June: Youth Day
9 August: National Women’s Day
24 September: Heritage Day
25 September: Public Holiday
16 December: Day of Reconciliation
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Day of Goodwill
