South Africa School Break 2025 : The end of the year is approaching and the much anticipated December 2025 school break is on the way for parents, teachers, and students in South Africa. This holiday season marks the official close of the 2025 school year for millions of students and gives them the opportunity to recharge, rejuvenate, and have family time before the start of the new school year. Here’s a detailed look at the closure and opening dates along with families’ requirements for planning the holidays.
When Do Schools Close In December 2025?
According to the official calendar released by the Department of Basic Education all public schools in South Africa will close on the 5th of December 2025 which will be Friday. This date marks the end of the teaching year for all schools in the coastal and inland provinces. Teachers will be conducting the last administrative work, students will be receiving their year-end reports, and the schools will be preparing for holidays.
The Holiday is well-deserved especially after a demanding year which was full of assessments, curriculum changes, and overall nationwide focus on literacy and numeracy improvement in all classes.
Opening Dates For The 2026 School Year
The reopening of schools for students will take place on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026. In most cases, the teachers will come a day before the students to get the classrooms and the whole school ready for the new academic year which should start without any hitches.
Parents are advised to dedicate the first week of January to uniforms, stationery, and transport arrangements as the demand for back-to-school items usually peaks in the second week of the month.
A Long Holiday For Learners
December school vacation is the longest one throughout the year and in the year 2025 too, it will be the same. More than five weeks of rest will let many families travel, have big gatherings, celebrate religious occasions, and even participate in community events.
In the case of tourism, places such as Durban, Cape Town, and Mpumalanga are ready for the increased flow of tourists while shopping malls and movie theaters are getting ready for one of their most crowded seasons. For those parents who are working during the holidays, there will be numerous community centers and youth programs where children can partake in December holiday activities providing them with amusement and safety.
Also Read: R3,000 Childcare Boost Confirmed For 15 December 2025 – Here’s Who Qualifies