2024 school calendar for public and private schools in South Africa
The Department of Basic Education shares an updated academic calendar annually to keep students abreast regarding learning sessions and holidays. This article shares the 2024 school calendar in South Africa.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- The 2024 school calendar in South Africa
- South African national holidays in 2024
- How many school terms will there be in 2024?
- When does 2024 academic year end in South African schools?
- How many days will there be in each separate term of 2024?
- How many days of school holidays will there be in 2024?
- What are the school holidays in Pretoria?
- How many terms do SA private schools have?
The Department of Education expects learners and educators in public and private schools to follow an academic calendar it releases annually. Institutions can still customize the government's calendar to suit how they operate. As a result, the academic calendar for public schools has four terms, while most private schools have three terms.
The 2024 school calendar in South Africa
Learners and educators in SA do not have classes on some public holidays and get half-term breaks to relax and recharge. Nevertheless, most schools limit the number of national holidays so that they can complete the syllabus on time. The following academic calendar includes the number of school holidays in 2024:
TERM 1 - 46 (48) DAYS
| Start | January (15) 17 |
| Close | March 20 |
| Number of public holidays | 0 |
| Number of days | 46 (48) |
| Actual number of school days | 46 (48) |
| Number of weeks | 10 |
School holidays and half-terms allow children to learn things not taught in class. Therefore, parents/guardians should ensure they are preoccupied with creative things that can entertain and teach them the ways of life.
TERM 2 - 52 (53) DAYS
| Start | April 3 |
| Close | June 14 |
| Number of public holidays | 1 |
| Number of days | 52 |
| Actual number of school days | 53 |
| Number of weeks | 11 |
Holidays and half-terms should help learners to relieve themselves of the pressure they experience in class. It will help them return to class feeling fresh and eager to learn more.
TERM 3 (48 DAYS)
| Start | July 9 |
| Close | September 20 |
| Number of public holidays | 1 |
| Number of days | 52 |
| Actual number of school days | 53 |
| Number of weeks | 11 |
Teachers in private and public schools in SA are qualified and use creative teaching methods. Moreover, they all abide by government regulations and standards.
TERM 4 - 52 (54) DAYS
| Start | October 1 |
| Close | December 11 (13) |
| Number of public holidays | 0 |
| Number of days | 52 (54) |
| Actual number of school days | 52 (54) |
| Number of weeks | 11 |
The Department of Education has made education compulsory for all children aged 7 to 15 (or completing Grade 9). Since most South Africans prefer English as the language of instruction at all levels of education, most schools in SA primarily teach students English.
Private schools in South Africa are expensive because they are almost 100% funded by tuition fees and their boards of parents. Most high-income and middle-class families still choose them over government learning centers because they generally have higher education standards.
State schools are significantly cheaper than private schools. They also comply with the government's School Fee Exemption and the No-fee Schools policies to help children from poor backgrounds access education. However, the eligibility for full and partial school fee exemptions depends on the parent or caretaker's income in relation to the fees.
Source: UGC
South Africa also has public special needs schools for children with disabilities, and many private schools accommodate such students. Unlike public schools, they are not required to comply with state laws concerning these students. If you have a special needs child, ensure the private school you choose can meet the child's physical and behavioral needs.
South African national holidays in 2024
Teachers instill a sense of patriotism in kids during national holidays. Most schools do not take breaks on national holidays unless the holiday is marked as a school holiday in the annual calendar provided by the Department of Basic Education. These are South Africa's national holidays in 2024:
| Date | National Public Holiday |
| 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| 2 January | Public Holiday |
| 20 March | Special School Holiday |
| 21 March | Human Rights Day |
| 07 April | Good Friday |
| 10 April | Family Day |
| 27 April | Freedom Day |
| 28 April | Special School Holiday |
| 1 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 |
How many school terms will there be in 2024?
There are four school terms in 2024 for South African public schools. Most private schools also use the four-term calendar, while others use a three-term calendar.
When does 2024 academic year end in South African schools?
The 2024 academic year will end between December 11 and 13.
How many days will there be in each separate term of 2024?
The first term has 46 (48) days, the second one has 52 (53) days, the third term has 48 days, and the fourth one has 52 (54) days.
Source: UGC
How many days of school holidays will there be in 2024?
The 2024 school calendar in South Africa has 205 (209) days, which equals 43 weeks of learning.
What are the October school holidays?
South Africa does not have national or school holidays in October 2024.
What are the school holidays in Cape Town?
Public schools in Cape Town comply with all school holidays stipulated in the government's academic calendar.
What are the school holidays in Johannesburg?
State schools in Johannesburg give learners and educators a break on all school holidays stipulated in the government's academic calendar.
Source: UGC
What are the school holidays in Pretoria?
Government schools in Pretoria acknowledge all school holidays stipulated in the government's academic calendar.
How many terms do SA private schools have?
Both private and public schools in South Africa have four public holidays throughout the 2024 academic year.
The 2024 school calendar in South Africa is for public and private schools. The Department of Basic Education ensures this annual school calendar comes out on time, allowing parents, educators, and learners to prepare for the new year adequately.
Briefly.co.za shared facts regarding teachers' salary rates in South Africa. SA calls teachers educators. The difference between these two titles is primarily semantic.
They perceive a teacher as an instructor, while an educator is someone with skills to deliver theory to a student in a way that helps the learner to put the concepts into practice. Therefore, they acknowledge the efforts of good teachers by calling them educators.
Source: Briefly News
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