In the upcoming 2024 school year, public schools nationwide are scheduled to have 203 instructional days distributed across 43 weeks. Following the conclusion of the 2023 school year on December 13, learners will resume school a little over a month later on January 17.
Term dates for all public schools in 2024:
- First Term: 17 January - 20 March
- Second Term: 3 April - 14 June
- Third Term: 9 July - 20 September
- Fourth Term: 1 October - 13 December
Public and School Holidays for 2024
New Year's Day 1 January 2024
Human Rights Day 21 March 2024
Good Friday 29 March 2024
Family Day 1 April 2024
Freedom Day 27 April 2024
Workers Day 1 May 2024
Youth Day 16 June 2024
Public Holiday 17 June 2024
National Women's Day 9 August 2024
Heritage Day 24 September 2024
Day of Reconciliation 16 December 2024
Christmas Day 25 December 2024
Day of Goodwill 26 December 2024
Historically, schools in coastal provinces initiated their academic years at distinct times compared to those in inland provinces. The Basic Education Department has recently made a decision to standardize the start and end dates for all public schools nationwide.
Now, both coastal and inland schools will commence with the 2024 school year on 17 January and end on 13 December.
The South African school calendar is typically determined by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) at the national level, in consultation with provincial education departments, school governing bodies, and other stakeholders.
