2027 South African School Calendar

2027 Public Holidays and School Holidays

Long weekend alert: the DBE has made Monday, 26 April a special school holiday. Together with Freedom Day on Tuesday, 27 April, learners get a four-day weekend from Saturday, 24 April to Tuesday, 27 April.

Key Dates for Matrics and Parents in 2027

The national calendar only lists term dates and holidays. For exams and other key dates, the Western Cape Education Department's 2027 planning calendar is a useful guide. Other provinces' dates may differ slightly, so check with your school or provincial education department.

Applying to study in 2028?

If you're in matric in 2027, the year is also about planning what comes next:

• University applications: most universities open applications for the following year between April and June, and many close between August and the end of September. Check our university application dates page for each university's window.

• NSFAS: NSFAS's 2027 applications closed on 31 October 2026, so expect the 2028 window to open in the second half of 2027.

• Bursaries: many bursaries close mid-year, long before results come out. See our list of bursaries for 2027 to see how they work.

• Exam prep: use the school holidays to work through matric past papers by subject.

How to Plan Your 2027 School Year

• Put the term dates in your calendar now. Add the opening and closing dates, plus the four-day weekend in April, to your phone or a family calendar.

• Plan around Term 2. At 12 weeks, it's the longest term of the year, and it's when most schools write mid-year exams. Build in time to rest over the June holidays.

• Budget for the start of the year. January brings school fees, uniforms and stationery all at once, so start saving in the holidays.

• Matrics, use the holidays wisely. The winter and spring holidays fall just before the trial and final exams. A little revision every day goes a long way.

• Check your school's own calendar. Schools add their own dates, like sports days, parent meetings and internal exams, so ask for the school's 2027 calendar in January.

Need help with education costs?

Whether it's school fees, uniforms or study costs after matric, Fundi offers education finance for students and parents. Find out more about Fundi's education loans.

Fundi Capital (Pty) Ltd is a registered credit provider (NCRCP 158).

Frequently Asked Questions

When do schools open in 2027?

Public schools open for learners on Wednesday, 13 January 2027. Teachers return two days earlier, on Monday, 11 January.

When do schools close in 2027?

The school year ends for learners on Wednesday, 8 December 2027.

How many school days are there in 2027?

Learners have 197 school days in 2027, across 42 weeks, once public holidays are taken off.

Is there a special school holiday in 2027?

Yes. Monday, 26 April 2027 is a special school holiday, which gives learners a four-day weekend with Freedom Day on 27 April.

Do inland and coastal schools have different dates in 2027?

No. All public schools in South Africa follow the same 2027 calendar.

Do private schools follow the same calendar?

Not always. Independent and IEB schools set their own term dates, so check with your school.

Final Thoughts

With the 2027 school calendar in hand, you can plan holidays, budget for the start of the year and give yourself enough time to prepare for exams. Save this page, and check back closer to January for any updates from the DBE.

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