Academic Calendar 2026 & 2027
Official Department of Basic Education term dates, public holidays and NSC examination dates
November 2026
Academic10Exam7Holiday37Deadline3
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
NSC October/November examinations end
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
Upcoming Events
NSC October/November examinations end
Exam
November 26th, 2026
NSC examination centres
Term 4 ends – 2026 school year closes
Holiday
December 9th, 2026
Day of Reconciliation
Holiday
December 16th, 2026
Christmas Day
Holiday
December 25th, 2026
Day of Goodwill
Holiday
December 26th, 2026
New Year's Day
Holiday
January 1st, 2027
NSC 2026 national results announcement
Deadline
January 11th, 2027
Term 1 begins – educators report
Academic
January 11th, 2027
School Campus
NSC 2026 individual results released
Deadline
January 12th, 2027
Term 1 begins – learners return
Academic
January 13th, 2027
School Campus
May/June 2027 NSC/SC examination registration closes
Deadline
February 5th, 2027
Term 1 ends – autumn holidays begin
Holiday
March 19th, 2027
Human Rights Day
Holiday
March 21st, 2027
Public Holiday (Human Rights Day observed)
Holiday
March 22nd, 2027
Good Friday
Holiday
March 26th, 2027
Family Day
Holiday
March 29th, 2027
Term 2 begins
Academic
April 6th, 2027
School Campus
Special School Holiday
Holiday
April 26th, 2027
Freedom Day
Holiday
April 27th, 2027
Workers' Day
Holiday
May 1st, 2027
Youth Day
Holiday
June 16th, 2027
Term 2 ends – winter holidays begin
Holiday
June 25th, 2027
Term 3 begins
Academic
July 20th, 2027
School Campus
National Women's Day
Holiday
August 9th, 2027
Term 3 ends – spring holidays begin
Holiday
September 22nd, 2027
Heritage Day
Holiday
September 24th, 2027
Term 4 begins
Academic
October 5th, 2027
School Campus
Term 4 ends – 2027 school year closes
Holiday
December 8th, 2027
Day of Reconciliation
Holiday
December 16th, 2027
Christmas Day
Holiday
December 25th, 2027
Day of Goodwill
Holiday
December 26th, 2027
Public Holiday (Day of Goodwill observed)
Holiday
December 27th, 2027