Education Department Dismisses Rumours About Changes to 2025 School Calendar

Many South African parents have recently been unsettled by widespread online rumours suggesting changes to the 2025 school calendar. These false claims have caused confusion and concern, especially for families trying to plan holidays and activities around the official school terms.

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In light of the growing speculation, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has officially confirmed that no changes have been made to the 2025 school calendar. Moreover, it stressed that the existing calendar remains final and should be regarded as the only valid schedule for the academic year. This statement, in turn, helps to clear up the confusion caused by a wave of misinformation that recently began circulating on social media platforms. Consequently, parents can move forward with confidence, knowing they can plan school activities and holidays according to the confirmed dates.

Here’s the official 2025 school calendar for public schools:

First Term

• Start: 15 January 2025;
• End: 28 March 2025;
• Public holidays: New Year’s Day (1 January), Human Rights Day (21 March);

Second Term

• Start: 8 April 2025;
• End: 27 June 2025;
• Public holidays:
  • Good Friday (18 April);
  • Family Day (21 April);
  • Freedom Day (27 April);
  • Workers’ Day (1 May);
  • Youth Day (16 June);
• Special school holidays: 29 April and 2 May;

Third Term

• Start: 22 July 2025;
• End: 3 October 2025;
• Public holidays:
  • Women’s Day (9 August);
  • Heritage Day (24 September);

Fourth Term

• Start: 13 October 2025;
• End: 10 December 2025;
• Administration days: 11 – 12 December;
• Public holidays:
  • Day of Reconciliation (16 December),
  • Christmas Day (25 December),
  • Day of Goodwill (26 December).

Why the confusion?

Much of the confusion stems from misinterpreted dates and misinformation spreading across social media. Many parents have focused on the “special school holidays” in Term 2, particularly the days falling on 29 April, 30 April, and 2 May. Schools will close on these dates, which has led some to mistakenly believe that changes were made to the calendar.

Here’s why:

• Freedom Day falls on Sunday, 27 April 2025, and the following Monday (28 April) is a public holiday.
• Workers’ Day is on Thursday, 1 May 2025.

To allow for a full week of rest, schools will also be closed on the intervening days — Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday — making it a 9-day break when weekends are included.

This schedule was confirmed in the original calendar release and does not represent a change.

The Department’s response to the rumours

In a statement quoted by The Citizen, the Department of Basic Education reassured the public that the 2025 school calendar remains final and unchanged. It also urged parents, teachers, and learners to use official DBE platforms for accurate information and regular updates.

Any other claims circulating online are false and misleading.

“The official school calendar was published last year and remains unchanged. We urge all stakeholders to disregard misinformation and check our verified channels for updates,” said a DBE spokesperson.

Stay informed, stay prepared

Therefore, it’s essential to plan the academic year using trusted and official sources. The 2025 school calendar offers a well-balanced structure that supports both learning and adequate rest, while also aligning with national public holidays. Now that the confusion has been addressed, parents can confidently move forward with their planning, knowing the dates are confirmed and reliable.

Tip: Always refer to the Department of Basic Education’s official website for updates on school dates and policy announcements.